The much-awaited fully airconditioned modern fish market has been declared open for public use.
The hi-tech fish market, constructed at Lawspet on East Coast Road, is spread over 37,886 square feet and come up at a cost of Rs.13 crore. The two-storey building has a centralised airconditioning facility.
Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who inaugurated the market on Wednesday, said that it would be considered as the most hygienic fish market in the region. People should cooperate with the government to maintain the market in a hygienic manner. This would improve the status of fishermen and improve sales.
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Collector S.B. Deepak Kumar said as many as 110 stalls have been constructed in the market with modern amenities and cold storage facilities. There was an auction hall for the fishermen too.
An effluent treatment plant which has been established was one of the biggest attractions of the market. It would treat effluents collected from the market and has been fitted with a 10-KV solar power plant to meet the requirements of the shopping area. No government building or asset in Puducherry had such a high capacity solar power plant except this market. An ice plant with 10-tonne capacity was also provided.
R. Smitha, Joint Project Director, Project Implementing Agency, said that the market would be handed over to Oulgaret Municipality to oversee its functioning and maintenance.
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On allotment of shops to traders, Mr. Kumar said modalities for allotting shops would soon be worked out in consultation with stakeholders.
To a question, he said that the existing fish market on the integrated Coubert market complex would not be disturbed. In fact, a scheme had been prepared to modernise the Coubert market too, he said.