Despite the High Court directives to maintain hygiene in the Margao’s wholesale fish market, wastewater on account of the fish cutting activities and fish waste continues to be released into the open fields.
It has been noticed that on several occasions fish waste remains unattended in the wholesale fish market resulting in a stinking environment. Wastewater from the fish cutting activities too is found discharged into the nearby fields.
It may be recalled that a few months back, the High Court had pulled up the concerned authorities over the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the wholesale fish market. However, despite the High Court orders, the unhygienic conditions prevail in the market, despite South Goa Planning and Development Authority putting in efforts to put the system in place. Now, it has been noticed that those engaged in fish cutting activities are least bothered in maintaining hygiene in the market and continue to dump the fish waste in the open fields, besides releasing the wastewater.
In the past, the SGPDA had directed those involved in fish cutting to immediately stop the activity in the market as Madel residents had strongly raised their objections to the stinking environment at the market.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Susana Fernandes, a consumer said that SGPDA needs to maintain a strict vigil on the fish cutting activity at the wholesale fish market and ensure that it does not pollute the fields and River Sal located nearby.
“I visit the market on a regular basis. I noticed fish waste left in the market and this resulted in a stinking environment. Wastewater is released into the fields, despite hard efforts on the part of the authorities to stop such activity,” she stated.
Deepa Naik, another visitor said that after the High Court directions, the wholesale fish market was put in place. However, the fish cutting activity continues to create unhygienic condition.
“The action plan of the authorities concerned will go in vain if the activities at the wholesale fish market are not monitored at regular intervals. No doubt, cleaning of the market is done on a daily basis, however, there is also a need to crack a whip on the illegal activities taking place in and around the market,” she demanded.