Ponda council’s notice orders traders to vacate shaky market

Ponda: As traders at the dilapidated fish market building are reluctant to shift to a new site, the Ponda municipality has issued eviction notices, giving traders 72 hours to vacate the premises.The traders currently occupy space on the upper floor of the market building.Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) plans to move the traders to the adjoining Palika Bazar, an open, shed-lined market used by readymade garment merchants, vegetable vendors, and spice sellers, among others.The PMC aims to demolish the old fish market building, constructed in 1984, before it collapses. The structure is leaning towards the nullah side and could tumble at any time, council officers said.Currently, the upper floor houses around 60 traders including 22 cloth merchants, 14 piddukkars (vendors of tiny, daily-use items), and nine glass bangle traders.Council chief officer Suyash Khandeparkar said the traders are not ready to shift despite the precarious condition of the structure. The reluctance prompted the council to issue the eviction notices, he said.Fish vendors at the market building shifted to a new location on May 15.