The Hindu 19.02.2013
City to get five modern fish vending booths
A total sum of Rs.1 crore will be spent on the units.
To standardise the supply of quality fish varieties to consumers, the Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed) will set up five modern fish-vending booths in selected locations of the city.
The construction of air-conditioned booths, with facility to maintain a hygienic ambience, will start within a couple of weeks and start functioning within a period of two months.
A total sum of Rs.1 crore will be spent to set up fish- vending units in the selected locations and to open a base station at Puthiyappa harbour for sorting out fish varieties and sending it to the vending booths concerned. According to Matsyafed officials, a total of 10 modern fish- vending booths will come up in the city this year itself in a phased manner.
The five booths considered in the first phase will be opened at Arayidathupalam, Taj Road premise, Link Road, Eranhipalam and Tiruvannur.
The support of various self- help groups will be sought to operate the booths and maintain a clean ambience at the outlet.
Matsyafed Manager T.V. Ramesan said an amount of Rs.5 lakh would be spent for each booth to ensure its proper functioning. Fish waste would never be a problem for the natives, as arrangements would be made at the base station to treat it, he added.
The base station at Puthiyappa will also have superior storage facilities and machines to sort out the good quality fish items. A major portion of the fund will be spent on developing the base station as per the government project.
Mr. Ramesan said the amount for the project was sanctioned by the government under its recession package for the welfare of fishermen community in the district.
A series of other welfare schemes too were on the card, which would be announced after the completion of the latest project, he added.
