Cuttack: Aiming to decongest one of its busiest stretches, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) is all set to develop a new fish market on a sprawling 2.5 acres of land near Press Chowk, which the civic body claims will be the biggest such complex in the city.“We aim to create the biggest and most organised fish market in Cuttack. The market, estimated to cost around Rs 2.5 crore, will be developed with dedicated spaces for wholesale and retail fish vendors, a truck bay and other essential amenities. The project is expected to be completed within 10 months,” mayor Subhash Singh said on Monday, adding tenders have been allotted to a private party.At present, the stretch from Khannagar Mata Mutt to Madhupatna via Press Chowk witnesses severe congestion during the early morning hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and from Fridays to Sundays, when wholesale fish trading takes place. Fish-laden trucks line up along the road, with traders unloading consignments on the carriageway and vendors occupying large portions of the stretch.“The existing fish market activity has been creating tremendous congestion. The new fish hub will shift the unloading to an organised facility and free the road for commuters,” said Singh.He adds the project will provide adequate space for fish traders and transporters. “This will be a dedicated fish hub with all required facilities, including vending spaces, toilets, water connection and other amenities. Trucks will no longer have to occupy the main road,” said Singh.Apart from reducing traffic bottlenecks, the organised market is also likely to improve sanitation and waste management in the area.
