The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) will spend over Rs 1 crore to build a new shelter in place of the recently demolished structure to accommodate fish vendors. According to a senior CCP official, the civic body is spending Rs 10 lakh for the foundation work of the shelter, while the fabricated-shed is estimated to cost Rs 1 crore.
“The shed we plan to construct will be better than what was there previously. Earlier, we had concrete counters for each vendor; now it will be of stainless steel, including the fish display counter,” the official said. He said that the decision to install steel counters was made keeping in mind the hygiene aspect.
The official said that currently, the debris of the razed structure has been cleared, and the restoration work of the foundation in the area where the fish vendors were conducting their business is ongoing. Subsequently, the fabrication of a new shed will be taken up, and thereafter, fish vendors will be allowed to carry out their business.
Presently, the vendors are operating from a temporary location a few metres away from the old municipal market building.
The CCP official said that a new market building will be constructed as part of the third phase of the municipal market. However, it may take time. “The third phase of the market project will be considered either through the Goa State Urban Development Agency or through the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd,” the official said.