Ponda cloth sellers await allotment of new shops

Ponda: The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC), which plans to relocate cloth vendors from the dilapidated fish market building to a newer complex adjacent to it, has yet to complete the shop allotment process. As a result, although the vendors had agreed to move out of the existing building on Sep 7, they still aren’t able to.The PMC had, on two earlier occasions, attempted to evict the vendors from the fish market building stating that the weakening structure was a risk to life and safety. However, both times, CM Pramod Sawant had put on hold the 72-hour eviction notice issued by the PMC. The traders currently occupy the upper floor of the building which was constructed in 1984. It is presently leaning dangerously towards a nearby nullah and could collapse any moment, said councillors.Although the cloth traders were reluctant to shift before Ganesh Chaturthi, fearing a possible loss of business during the festive season, they finally agreed to move out following the conclusion of celebrations.Fish vendors from the building have already been relocated to a new location as of May 15. Once the old structure is fully vacated, the municipality aims to demolish it. PMC chief officer Suyash Khandeparkar said the cloth vendors will be allotted shops once govt approval is received.