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.