The Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed) has sought the intervention of Fisheries Minister K. Babu to realise its modern fish mart venture as the city Corporation authorities are reluctant to change their stance on allotting land.
In a complaint given to Mr. Babu, the Matsyafed authorities alleged that the Corporation authorities were unexpectedly changing their stance after completing all the required formalities and obtaining clearance from all the technical wings concerned for the project. They also submitted the copies of various clearance letters received from the Corporation and other substantiating documents to prove the claim.
As per the approved plan of the Matsyafed, 18 air-conditioned fish vending booths had been planned for the city under a special recession package. In the first phase, it had proposed to open five fish marts.
But, the Corporation’s standing committee on town planning opposed two of the proposed outlets stating that the land for the project had earlier been reserved for other schemes.
As per the latest stance of the Corporation authorities, the Matsyafed would not be able to construct two outlets in the already allowed spots at Thiruvannur and the Link Road premise. The contractor assigned for the work also stopped the work.
According to T. Rajani, chairperson of the standing committee on town planning, the project for the fish vending booth near the Link Road was disapproved as the site was earlier marked for a parking plaza.
She maintained that the Corporation did not have any objection to the project at Thiruvannur provided the Matsyafed was ready to make some slight changes in the existing plan.
“The spot identified for the fish mart was earlier reserved for a modern fish market, she said.
“Several times we had approached the Corporation to get a final decision on the project, but it showed a cold approach. The project will be a big loss for the city if we are not able to complete it on time,” said T.V. Ramesan, district manager, Matsyafed. ‘‘We will be in need of only 200 square feet land for each of those marts, for which the Corporation had hardly any other difficulty or loss,’’ he pointed out.
The plan of the Matsyafed was to open five air-conditioned fish marts at Arayidathupalam, Taj Road premise, Link Road, Eranhipalam, and Thiruvannur at a total cost of Rs.1 crore. The project meant for the quality distribution of fresh fish and fish products was also an innovative attempt to streamline the conventional style of distribution and to offer more standard facilities for the buyer.
