Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SV)

Udupi, Nov 27: Ever since the fish market temporarily shifted to Beedinagudde on account of the market under construction, buying of fish has become a tough task since the last few years. The work taken up by the Coastal Development Authority on the fish market three years ago near Poornaprajna College in the town is yet to be fully complete. But there are hopes now that the fish market will open soon as the major work of the project looks completed. 

The project was planned in 2012. However, work began 11 months later due to land issues. Subsequently, the design of the building got changed as per demands from the fisherfolk and the MLA. As per the earlier design, the ground floor was for parking of vehicles and the first floor was supposed to accommodate counters for 96 fish vendors. The design was later modified to accommodate 180 fish vendors. Parking is now planned outside the building.

The re-planned construction began on July 15, 2013 and was scheduled for completion by October 14, 2014, by the Coastal Development Authority (CDA). But, the project is still pending. The state government has provided Rs 10 lac and CMC Udupi has also contributed Rs 10 lac. Due to the delay in completion of the project, nearly 250 fisherwomen are forced to operate their business from a temporary fish market at Beedinagudde since the past three years with minimal facilities.

The temporary market which functions from Beedinagudde hardly has any facilities. There is no proper drainage system and no toilets either. After threatening the officials through protests, toilets were constructed. As this is not in the centre of the city, customers find it difficult to get to Beedinagudde, which in turn has affected sales. Fisherwomen are fed up with the delay in completion of the project.

Port and fisheries department executive engineer T S Rathod said, “Work on major portion of the building is complete. Only few minor works have yet to get finished. We cannot give an exact date for the opening as the minister and chief engineers will announce this as per the stage of work done. We cannot disclose anything now."

“The fish market will accommodate 180 fish vendors. As many as 12 counters will be earmarked for the sale of dry fish. A separate space is provided for wholesale fish merchants. The fish market will also include toilet and drainage facilities. Vehicle parking will be allowed on the land available in front and on the left side of the building,” he added.

Baby Salian, president of Udupi Taluk Wet Fish Sellers' Association, talking about the progress of work said, “First it was the restructuring of the building's design and then additional facilities to be added and later it was the inadequate availability of sand in the district. I recently went to see the progress of work, and it seems to be in the final stage of construction. Some minor works are yet to get finished. Painting and other works are in progress. I hope it will open out to business very soon.”

With the shifting of the present fish market to Beedinagudde, buyers have been greatly inconvenienced. The early completion of work on the new fish market will benefit both the buyers as well as the fish vendors.