Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Jan 16: The Mapusa fish market complex is facing possible shutdown after a health services inspection on Thursday found its sanitation compliance measures to be unsatisfactory. The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has sought 15 days’ time to rectify the deficiencies, warning that water and electricity connections will be disconnected if sanitation norms are not adhered to.

The inspection, supervised by Bardez Deputy Collector Varsha Parab, was conducted following a severe “intimation of disconnection” notice issued by the Urban Health Centre (UHC), Mapusa. Health officials stated that despite repeated warnings, the market complex continues to remain a “public health nuisance”.

Health Officer Dinesh Parab said the municipality’s corrective measures were inadequate, pointing to the illegal discharge of sewage into open drains and the Tar river. Officials also directed the immediate removal of construction debris dumped within the market premises and criticised the absence of basic water facilities for vendors.

The MMC has been instructed to coordinate with the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) to expedite pending structural works at the complex. Municipal Engineer Vishant Naik said a dedicated sewage treatment plant has been planned and assured that a cleaning schedule along with emergency contact numbers will be displayed, following pressure from consumer rights activist Roland Martins of Goacan.

While the MMC claimed that a cleanliness drive was carried out recently, health authorities maintained that strict action would be initiated if the violations are not rectified within the stipulated timeframe.