Staff Reporter
Margao
Members of the fishing community, who sell fish at the soon-to-be-inaugurated wholesale fish market in Margao, have expressed disappointment over the absence of a cold storage facility there.
The facility was initially planned as part of the centrally-funded project but remains
unconstructed.
“This critical infrastructure is essential for preserving our catch. Its absence in such a significant project is concerning,” said a traditional fisherman.
Traditional fishermen, wholesale traders, and boat owners have echoed similar concerns, particularly as the construction of Phase 2 of the market remains incomplete. While traders often use insulated vehicles, traditional fishermen who lack such resources are forced to sell surplus fish at lower prices due to the absence of cold storage, incurring losses.
“It would help us store our extra fish. Without it, we are forced to sell at cheaper rates,” another fisherman said, adding that the facility could also reduce roadside parking of fish-loaded vehicles by traders.
Sources said that the cold storage facility was excluded due to land constraints, with the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) allegedly finalising the project without provisions for it.
The fishing community urged authorities to prioritise the inclusion of cold storage to improve operational efficiency at the
market.
