Margao market complex awaits repairs, traders left in the lurch

Margao: With the approaching monsoon, traders of the new municipal market, Margao, are concerned over the delay in undertaking repairs of the market complex.
The proposal for repairs of the new complex, which includes replacing floor tiles, roof cover with zinc sheets, etc has not seen much headway after the meeting of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) over a year ago.
The work was supposed to be carried out partly by the MMC and by Margao legislator Digambar Kamat through his MLA funds.
The traders are also disappointed over the delay in the construction of the multi-level parking project in the town.
“In the absence of parking spaces, people tend to avoid visiting the markets, thereby severely affecting our business,” a trader said.
The construction of an overhead water tank in the vicinity of the market for firefighting is yet to be completed. The fire safety audit conducted recently has red-flagged the increase in power load in most shops in the market which could be a potential safety hazard.
The new market complex houses at least 600 shops that are prone to fire mishaps. Traders have encroached upon passages with gross impunity and shops are hardly equipped with the basic fire-fighting equipment.
MMC officials said that the replacement of roofing sheets will be done before monsoon and the rest of the work will be done after the Lok Sabha elections owing to the restrictions on the model code of conduct.