Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Jul 7: With just 25 days left for the start of the new fishing season on August 1, uncertainty looms over the inauguration of the redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market — Goa's only wholesale fish hub.

Though the new market building, revamped under central funding, is fully ready with fish trading platforms and office spaces, trading activity still takes place outside in unhygienic conditions. Stakeholders — including fishermen, traders, and customers — are left puzzled over the continued delay.

Despite initial plans to inaugurate the market on January 26 this year, the spacious and modern structure remains unused for months, now overrun by stray dogs, raising concerns about bureaucratic inaction and missed deadlines.

Adding to the confusion, soling work with rubble stones is underway in the old trading area. “Why spend on soling if the new market is ready for inauguration? Are we to assume there will be more delay?” asked a concerned stakeholder.

SGPDA Chairman and MLA Krishna Daji Salkar stated that the inauguration date will be finalised after an upcoming meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. He admitted that a prior meeting scheduled for June 17 failed to resolve the matter.

As the fishing community prepares for a crucial season, pressure is mounting on the SGPDA and state government to act quickly and put the long-awaited infrastructure to use. Whether the market opens before August 1 remains the key question haunting stakeholders.