MAPUSA: The Mapusa market, which was systematically planned and constructed by the Portuguese, is today lying neglected. While on one hand the infrastructure is lacking in Mapusa, little facilities existing are also not maintained properly.

Being known for its Friday market day, the Mapusa market has no drinking water facility anywhere in the area.
There seems to be no respite in the market for people from the scorching heat who come do weekly shopping to Mapusa. The only option left before the people is to either carry with them their own water bottles or enter some shop to quench their thirst.
There are two drinking water centres in the market. The first one built by the Mapusa Merchants’ Association in collaboration with the municipality in 1997 and located in the fruit market. But the centre is now lying non-functional since many months. The other drinking water centre-cum-STD booth was built by the Lions Club in the Mapusa bus stand area, however, it was never made operational. Both these drinking water centres are now lying unused.
The president of Mapusa Merchants’ Association, Mr Y Gaundalkar flayed the municipality for failing to maintain the market centre and said that neither the market committee (or the municipality), nor the market inspectors seem to be interested in maintaining this centre.
Incidentally both these centres are now used by labourers to keep their belongings.
Sources in the municipality said that some mischievous elements were tampering with the drinking water centre in the market and stealing away some items. They also pointed out to wastage of water being caused at the site.
However, Mr Gaundlakar refuted these statements of the municipality officials saying that if the municipality wanted they could control the
flow of water.
“Water from this centre is mostly used for drinking and by vegetable vendors to sprinkle on their vegetables. There is no question of water getting wasted. If that is the case then municipal inspectors can keep a check on the centre,” he said.
He also came down heavily on the municipal inspectors, who he felt, were not doing their job effectively in the market.  He even blamed them for chasing out locals who come to sell their goods. Chairperson, Ms Rupa Bhakta, when contacted, said that she would see that the drinking water centre is made
functional soon.