The proposed relocation of wholesale fish market and scrapyards has not found favour with Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Goa State Industries Association (GSIA). The recent announcements regarding the proposed relocation of the wholesale fish market from Margao to Verna Industrial Estate, and the shifting of all scrap yards into industrial estates, have sparked significant concerns among business communities and stakeholders in Goa, a statement form the GCCI said.
”The authorities have indicated that the first phase of the new fish market is nearing completion, necessitating the temporary relocation of the entire market for the construction of the second phase. However, this decision stands in stark contrast to the government’s commitment to encourage the development of Model Industrial Estates to IPRS 2.0 standards, while attracting global investments,” the statement said.
”The success of the Invest Goa Summit, organized by the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), underscored the state’s potential for attracting such new industries. The event resulted in the best e-Auction of Plots at Verna Industrial Estate, promising the right infrastructure and environment for prospective businesses to thrive,” it said.
”Also export oriented pharma needs a very clean and conducive atmosphere in line with the Stringent FDA norms. Legacy industrial estates are already facing planning issues in terms of industry mix infrastructure scalability and access. Shifting of sensitive sectors like wholesale fish market and scrapyards to co-exist with precision engineering, export-oriented pharma etc will disturb the ecosystem causing hardships to all stakeholders,” the industry body said.
The GCCI and GSIA have appealed to Industries Minister and CM to intervene and instruct the authorities concerned to reconsider their intent and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.