The plan of the Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed) to set up five modern fish vending booths in the city has come to a halt with an unexpected opposition from the City Corporation’s Standing Committee on Town Planning.
Matsyafed authorities alleged that the project was opposed by the Corporation authorities after giving all the required clearances on their part for the venture.
As per the latest stance of the Corporation, the Matsyafed would not be able to construct two booths in the already identified spots at Thiruvannur and the Link Road premises. Similarly, another booth planned at the Eranhipalam junction too would be opposed as per an informal communication received by the Matsyafed.
“The unexpected move has totally stalled the implementation of an innovative scheme for the city which was meant for streamlining the conventional distribution method. Till now, the Corporation has not given any convincing reasons for their disagreement,’ said T.V. Ramesan, manager of Matsyafed in Kozhikode. He said that the objection, if there was any, could have been raised at the time of giving sanction to the project.
The plan of the Matsyafed was to open five air-conditioned booths at Arayidathupalam, Taj Road, Link Road, Eranhipalam and Thiruvannur at a total project cost of Rs. 1 crore for the quality supply of fish in a hygienic surrounding. Only 200 square feet of land was required for each of these booths for which the Corporation had already given the green signal. The works of the first booth too had even begun after the Corporation’s nod and it was the Mayor who formally inaugurated the works.
When contacted, T. Rajani, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Town Planning said the proposal for the fish vending booth near Link Road was opposed as the site was earlier marked for constructing a parking plaza. “Clearance was given for the Matsyafed project as they projected their actual project site a few metres away from the parking plaza zone,” she claimed. Similarly, Ms. Rajani claimed that the Corporation had no objection to a booth at Thiruvannur if the Matsyafed was ready to make some slight changes.
“The spot identified for their project was earlier reserved for the construction of a modern fish market by the Corporation and hence it cannot be used for other ventures,” she said.
