Goa, Nov. 1 -- After lying largely vacant for 14 years, Ponda's long-neglected new market complex has finally come to life, as vendors from the old fish market have begun shifting into the premises. The long-stalled rehabilitation comes after the existing fish market building was declared unsafe for occupation by the Disaster Management Team earlier this year.

The new complex, built in the heart of Ponda at a cost of several crores, was inaugurated in 2011 but remained mostly unoccupied. Despite repeated efforts by the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) to lease the shops, most vendors had refused to move in, citing high monthly rents and fears of poor customer turnout. The situation had turned the four-storey structure into a "white elephant...