The Times of India 05.01.2012
Five modern fish markets to come up in city soon
HYDERABAD: Die-hard
fish fans now can get the delicacy on demand. The fisheries department
is all set to change the existing fish markets by constructing modern
fish complexes at various places in the city.
The government has
asked consultancy firm McKinsey & Co to study fish potential and
recommend measures to boost fish marketing in the city and other places
in the state. Based on the survey, the proposal for constructing modern
fish markets in the city has been mooted.
“The National
Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has come forward to fund the proposed
modern fish complexes in Musheerabad, Begum Bazar, Domalguda, Nacharam
and Kukatpally. These five markets will be under the control of Greater
Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The NFDB will be spending Rs 2.5
crore (90% share) on each of these complex, and GHMC will fund the
remaining amount,” GHMC commissioner M T Krishna Babu told TOI.
The GHMC has already submitted detailed project reports (DPRs) of the
proposed fish market complexes to the NFDB two months ago. A
three-storied fish complex would be constructed at the identified places
with facilities like retail stalls, aquarium shops and a cold storage
unit. Apart from these, other facilities like marketing information
centers and dormitories for fishermen would be provided, the
commissioner said.
As of now, fish markets are located in Musheerabad and Begum Bazar, but these are not able to meet the demand of customers.
“On Sundays, we are selling around 60 to 70 tonnes of fish, but on
normal days it could be between 40 to 50 tonnes. Nearly five to six
varieties of fish come to the city from Godavari districts, Anantapur,
Kurnool, Kadapa, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar and Khammam
districts. “Most city residents prefer murrel fish, while shrimps,
crabs, sea boss (Pandu) are also fast moving delicacies,” fisheries
department assistant director (in-charge) Soloman Raj told TOI.