Panaji: Nearly two years after the Goa College of Engineering (GEC) recommended demolishing the structurally unsafe Panaji municipal fish market, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has initiated steps to rebuild the facility.
The civic body on Tuesday floated a request for proposal (RFP) to appoint an architect for designing a “modern, efficient and aesthetically pleasing market space” for the city. The redeveloped market will also include an effluent treatment plant (ETP) to manage fish waste.
The RFP, issued by CCP commissioner Clen Madeira, envisages construction of the new fish market in two phases. The selected architect will be required to prepare detailed architectural and structural drawings, along with cost estimates, within three months.
In its structural assessment, GEC had strongly recommended demolition of the existing market building, warning that parts of the structure could give way or collapse. Following the recommendation, CCP constructed a temporary fabricated shed a few metres away and shifted vendors there to facilitate demolition of the old building.
However, corporators say the redevelopment project has been plagued by delays. What began decades ago as a market redevelopment initiative has since become a symbol of administrative delays and poor planning, a former corporator said.
The proposed inclusion of an ETP signals CCP’s intent to address a long-standing sanitation issue at the market. In the absence of a proper system to treat fish wastewater, waste often accumulated on the premises, creating unhygienic conditions. Fruit and vegetable vendors also operate in the vicinity of the fish market.
According to the RFP, CCP wants the new facility to incorporate green building norms and sustainable practices, while improving utility services and enhancing the overall experience for both vendors and customers.
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