Kundapur: Disorder at municipality fish market

Kundapur: The disorder at the municipality fish market here is massive. No cleanliness, dirty water, fish water spilled all around giving rise to pugnacious scents complaint customers and merchants.

The customers argue with the merchants here every day. Amidst this, fish and food items have to be bought in a dirty environment. Though the road leading to the fish market pass right next to the municipality, the administration has failed to divert its attention towards the issue here.

Useless

Lakhs of rupees were spent to build a floor above the fish market on which a complex has been created. There are 5 rooms in it. Of them, 4 have been provided on rent to meat sellers. But the wide area remains empty and thus useless. If fish is sold here, then the people density and the accompanying confusion on the lower side may be reduced.

Difficult to park

The road to the fish market also connects to several houses. It also connects with the main road. This road is essential for the houses ans temples here. But due to the haphazard parking here, other vehicles find it hard to pass through.

Merchants

Now, most of the fish merchants visit houses to sell their goods. Even then, 150-200 fisherwomen and fishermen come to the fish market to sell fish. If a few bring little amounts of fish to sell, close to 70% of them bring huge amounts of fish and continue selling their fish well into the evening. Their daily fee is Rs 3, Rs 5 and Rs 10.

Last year, the contract for fee collection was auctioned for Rs 1.2 lakh, this year it has been auctioned for Rs 2.9 lakh.

Immediate arrangement

“Immediate arrangements will be made to clean the fish market if the fish merchants cooperate. The upper floor is presently empty and arrangement will be made for the sale of dry fish from here. In this way, there is a plan to make use of this area,” informed Gopalakrishna Shetty, Chief Officer, Municipality

Article by Laxmi Macchina translated into English by Aaron Dmello