Fish market on Marina Loop Road: Corpn, fisheries dept hold talks

It is also expected that the authorities would arrive at a decision over the eviction of fisherfolks belonging to Nochikuppam fishing hamlet, which is a long pending problem for over the three decades.

Working president of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association, K Bharathi said, “After protests, the members of the association submitted a plan with the Fisheries Department, to enable the construction of a permanent market place along the Loop Road. Though no confirmation was made regarding the eviction, the authorities assured us to discuss this matter with the civic body.”

Around 300 fish stalls are put up along the Marina Loop Road, providing a livelihood to nearly 1,000 fisherwomen. Two weeks ago, the civic body along with the policemen tried to evict the stalls and fisherfolks forcefully. It was subdued after the association members submitted a petition with the civic body.

The association has already raised a demand to distribute ice box at the subsidized rate. The fisherwomen are currently using ice box made up of thermocol, which was freely distributed to fisherfolks post tsunami but it is regarded hazardous to the environment.

The authorities attached to the Fisheries Department have assured that arrangements are being made to arrange plastic ice boxes with high thickness.

“The new boxes are usually given to the fishermen who have fiber boats. It has the capacity to stock fishes weighing 100 kilograms. In addition, we immediately require a storage place at the vicinity,” Bharathi said.

This development emerges soon after the civic body engaged nearly 20 sanitary workers to clean the whole stretch abutting the stalls.

At present, a proper mechanism is in place with the conservancy workers clearing the garbage on the daily basis. Earlier, only two to three conservancy workers and two garbage bins were deployed for the upkeep of the stretch.

Director of Fisheries GS Sameeran said, “We are still holding discussions and studying the feasibility of accommodating fish market permanently along the stretch. We will aid the fisherfolks with ice boxes and other facilities aimed to enhance their livelihood. In regard with eviction, only Greater Chennai Corporation has the power to decide in this matter.”

Affirming holding talks, the Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner, Karthikeyan said, “The Corporation has not yet taken any decision.”