Margao: The South Goa Planning and Development Authority’s (SGPDA) new wholesale fish market at Margao will be outsourced to a private contractor for its maintenance and operations, said PWD minister Digambar Kamat on Thursday following a joint inspection by the authorities concerned.The redeveloped market, built by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) for the fisheries department, was ready for over a year but had not been inaugurated. With no proper waste disposal facilities in place, the area had turned filthy, forcing fishermen and vendors to continue operating in the open.Kamat said the selected contractor will be responsible for the market’s upkeep and operations once it becomes functional in Aug when the new fishing season begins. “It has been agreed in principle that the operation, maintenance and everything else will be outsourced to a single contractor, as separate tenders for individual works won’t be practical,” Kamat said.SGPDA chairman Krishna Salkar flagged several shortcomings that need to be addressed before the facility can open — including non-functional fans, slippery floors, and the absence of a gate. GSIDC chairman Michael Lobo said that all the defects will be rectified soon.“We are aiming to complete the market work by July 25 and make it operational by Aug 1, when the new fishing season starts. By then, we will also have obtained all the necessary approvals from regulatory agencies,” said Salkar, adding that a proposal for a complete overhaul of the adjoining retail fish market was also in the works.“The land belongs to SGPDA. The GSIDC has built the market. The selected bidder will maintain and operate the facility, and it will be transferred to the SGPDA after the statutory period specified in the tender is over, ” said Lobo.
