Modern fish market to be constructed in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA), with the support of the fisheries department, will open a modern, well-equipped, fish market.

Vizagites will be able to buy marine products from the modern and hygienic facility, likely to come up at the same place where the existing fish market near RTC Complex in Vizag city is located. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7.3 crore.

The G+4 market building will have a provisions for vehicle parking, canteen and a restaurant exclusively for fish lovers. The fisheries department officials have opted to construct the modern fish market at the city’s centrally located area since they could not find suitable land for the project elsewhere.

The land (measuring about 900 sq yards) of the existing fish market near RTC Complex belongs to VUDA and the proposed modern fish market most probably would come up at the same place, said a senior officer of VUDA.

The development comes in the wake of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to the fish market and his instructions to take up constructions of a modern and hygienic fish market in Vizag city to cater to the needs of Vizagites.

Sources said that the project, to be taken up after the MLC elections are over, is expected to be taken up in two phases. The first phase in-cludes construction of the fish market at a cost of Rs 4.35 crore while the second phase will cover starting of the fish restaurant at a cost of Rs 2.95 crore. As per the plan, the project includes 40 modern fish stalls, cutting and dressing facilities, storage facility, waste water management system and vehicle parking place will come in the ground and first floor of the building.

National Fisheries Development Board will provide around Rs 1 crore funds for the project. The fisheries department will provide Rs 1.94 crore while Rs 1.6 crore will come from various sources for the first phase of project. VUDA will take up the constructions activity.

The existing fish market in Vizag city lacked hygienic amenities. Also there is no space for vehicle parking. If the modern fish market comes up, visiting the fish market would not be a tough task, said V.S. Kumar, a fish lover who used to visit the fish market every Sunday.