City residents flock Hygienic Fish Market

City residents have started visiting government’s Hygienic Fish Market at Dhurwa looking for fresh fish in. The market is unique as one gets fresh (live) fish at the reasonable rates that are almost same to the other markets. The much awaited market constructed last year was inaugurated on Friday by Animal Husbandry Minister Randhir Kumar Singh. Presently, 13 retailers previously involved in selling fishes at the roadside have been allotted stalls here.

Applications from more fish sellers are in process. All the local fishes like Rehu, Catla, Prawn, Mrigal, Common Carp, Magur Maach, Hilsa, Tengra and Bhetki are being sold at the ground floor in live form at the market. “There is no difference in the price from other public markets such as Daily Market, lalpur, Doranda, Sector 2 and Kanke,” asserted District Fisheries Officer Manoj Kumar Thakur.

Some of the fish species managed by the Fisheries Department are also sold along with the listed fishes.As of now the market open from 7 am to 7 pm has cold storage facilities for fishes at a temperature of 14 degree Celsius. Fisheries department Joint Director Manoj Kumar said with the storage advantage, fishes will remain fresh for a longer period.

However, the common cold storage provision is creating hassles for the 13 retailers as they have to keep their fishes and equipments together. “We have requested the concerned officers to provide us separate cold storage facilities since the common storage may lead to theft of our fishes,” said Seller Sunil Nishad.

Sources maintained a solution to the problem will be decided in the meeting scheduled between the Sellers and Market In-Charge Officer Ashish Kumar on June 26.

Notably, the building of the market is made of eco-friendly resources. The cemented roof has two ducts for exhaust fans. These exhaust fans help in keeping the room hot when the climate is cold outside and vice-versa without using air-conditioner. It also keeps the flies away with low power usage. The smell of the fishes is prevented by the Effluent Treatment Plant.

There are plans of starting a Fish Restaurant at the top floor of the building and a Bank for the fish sellers at the back of the building. “Every day one fish retailer or wholesaler purchases tonnes of fishes from the supplier and earns revenue of around Rs 4lakh. It is obviously difficult to keep the large cash amount safely. In order to avoid inconvenience, we are mulling to open branch of a bank from 6 am onwards so that the sellers can deposit the amount and withdraw it through ATM when required,” said the Joint Director.

Sources confirmed merely three banks have come forward due to the early morning timings. Banks usually open from 10 am. “Bank of India, United Bank and Bank of Baroda have turned up for the proposal. The Management Committee will soon think upon the working hours of the branch at the market,” said the District Fisheries Officer.

He added, “Applications for managing the Fish Restaurant is still being invited. The final name will be declared after June 27.” The Fish Market is likely to be extended in the coming days to end the street fish selling business and encourage the vendors for selling the same in a hygienic environment of the building.