Daijiworld Media Network - Ponda

Ponda, Oct 10: With shop allotments in the new Ponda market finalised, a delegation of cloth vendors met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday to finalise the rent for shops in the newly constructed building.

Until the rates are confirmed, vendors will continue operating from the existing shops in the old, dilapidated market structure, said Gharu Sawant, who led the delegation.

The vendors were ready to shift from the dilapidated fish market building to the new complex adjacent to it on September 7. However, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) had held back the move as the allotment process was still pending. Earlier, the PMC had attempted to evict traders twice, citing the weakening structure as a safety risk, but the chief minister had temporarily put both eviction notices on hold.

The traders currently occupy the upper floor of the 1984-built building, which is now dangerously leaning toward a nearby nullah. Fish vendors from the structure have already been relocated. Once the building is fully vacated, the municipality plans to demolish it.