New fish market in Ramanathapuram remains unused since inauguration

Due to poor maintenance, the new fish market building constructed at a cost of ₹93 lakh near the new bus stand is in a dilapidated condition. It remains completely unused since its completion.

Fish from various parts of Ramanathapuram district, including Keelakarai, Erwadi, Rameswaram, Mandapam, Pamban, Valinokkam, Munthal, and Thondi, are being brought to the Ramanathapuram fish market for sale. Currently, the fish markets operate in the Salaitheru and Bharathi Nagar areas of Ramanathapuram.

As the Salaitheru fish market—a privately owned property with high costs—is located near a vegetable market, it attracts a large crowd, severely affecting traffic due to customers parking their cars outside.

To avoid this, a new fish market was constructed by the Municipality near the New Bus Stand in 2022 at a cost of ₹93.39 lakh.

It was built in a modern style, featuring 54 shops, parking space, drinking water facilities, and a cold storage room to preserve the fish.

However, due to the lack of cooperation from the fish vendors, it was closed a few months after being inaugurated and has not been operational till now, said public.

Additionally, due to the continuous lack of maintenance, weeds and shrubs have grown all over the building. With the doors lying open, it has become a dumping spot for garbage and a place for drinking alcohol at night, lamented residents.

P. Selvaraj of CPI (M), said, the vendors due to poor sales of fishes decided to return to their old market places. “Due to the presence of residential buildings, marriage halls, temples, among others, it is not a suitable place for fish market,” he added.

But, if everyone decides to shift their shops from the previous locations, public would automatically begin visiting the market, he noted.

Officials said, following talks with the vendors, the market would soon be opened for public use.