Mangalore: Bejai Fish Market to Finally See Light of Day
 
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Jan 2: Finally, fish vendors, most of them women, who had to function out of Bejai market can see a ray of hope in the horizon, with steps being taken to speed up the construction work of the new market.

The fisher folk had to move out of the Bejai market as the construction of the new market complex had begun four years ago, but then the work was stopped for an indefinite period. As a result, the vendors were forced to sell fish on the side of the road.
 
But signalling good days ahead, those vendors will be soon be accommodated in the new market complex as the work on the building has already resumed. MCC executive engineer Rajashekar told Daijiworld that the tender has been floated and the work is under way. The complex is expected to be completed within 5 months.
 
KPCC secretary Ivan D’Souza who is also the honorary adviser of Bejai market horata samithi told Daijiworld that though the work was delayed, with the samithi’s pressure tactics playing its role, but finally things have sorted and the work has started.

The new market complex will be a 3 storey building. The total cost of the tender is Rs 1.69 crore and the work will be carried out by contractor Rajaram. The entire work on Bejai market is expected to be completed within 6 months. Once the first floor work gets ready, probably within 3 months, fish vendors may be shifted to the new market complex, he said.
 
It may be recalled that the MCC planned to erect a full-fledged market complex at Bejai in 2004. Bejai Market Horata Samithi was instrumental in realizing the dream project as it organized a protest in front of the MCC commissioner's office to raise their voice against the halt in the work.