http://oheraldo.in/node/10225
Margao's wholesale fish market sans basic needs BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 22 — Strange it may seem that Goa's lone wholesale fish market in Margao was commissioned two and half years ago, but basic facilities such as parking and an effluent treatment plant (ETP) to treat tonnes of fish waste is yet to fall in place. What's more, work on the parking lot on land admeasuring 5000 sq mts adjoining the market is virtually dragging for the last two years, with the PDA turning a blind eye to the slow pace of work. And, if persons in the know are to be believed, even work on the effluent treatment plant is progressing well behind schedule. Take the case of the parking lot. The PDA had awarded a tender for earth filling and construction of retaining wall on December 15, 2003, with a condition to complete the work within 60 days. According to information, work could not initially start as per specifications for want of funds from the PDA. Says PDA Chairman, Shantaram Kadam: "The PDA has now taken serious note of the delays by the contractor. We have issued the contractor 7 days ultimatum to either complete the work or face termination of contract". On the effluent treatment, the PDA had promised the residents of Maddel in 2003 that work on the project would be complete at the earliest. But, as things stand today, the effluent treatment plant costing Rs 7 lakh is yet to see the light of the day. Says Secretary of the Wholesale Fish Association, M M Ibrabim: "The work contractor appears to have been left scot free when people at the market are struggling for parking and unloading of fish" Over 50 outstation fish transporting trucks, besides over 400 other vehicles line up along the road to the wholesale fish market almost everyday for want of parking space. The wholesale fish market was shifted to Maddel on August 14, 2003 and since then has proved to be nuisance to the residents of Maddel and Seraulim for want of adequate parking and a full-fledged effluent treatment plant. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
