Women-only fishmarkets with better facilities

Clean environment, toilets, seating and cold storage the salient feautres

The exclusive fish markets for fisherwoman, complete with toilet facilities, seating and cold storage facilities, will enable women to sell fishes in a clean and healthy environment.

An initiative by the Coastal Development Authority (CDA), these markets will have washrooms and restrooms, among other facilities. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Nivedith Alva, Chairman, CDA, said that the initiative was taken to offer better facilities to fisherwomen who tend to suffer from health problems due to the unhygienic conditions in which they carry out trade. He added that these exclusive fish markets will have ample space to carry out trade and proper seating facilities. The fish markets in some areas such as Padubidri have already been constructed and handed over to the local administration. There will be a separate counter for each woman with adequate space to store fish and other containers.

The existing fish markets in the region lack sanitation and an efficient underground drainage system. There are no proper basic infrastructural facilities and women often struggle to carry out trade. The fisherwomen sell fish in the nastiest condition and the unavailability of drinking water supply and rest rooms have added to the woes of these women.

Baby Anchan, President, Udupi Fisherwomen Association, said, “The new fish markets are more civilized in nature and women can sell fishes in a clean environment. There would be no foul smell and also no sewage seepages creating hell in the area. It would be a real good experience to sell fishes in the clean environment. However, the fish markets that are built should include all amenities that have been assured,” she adds. 

Nivedith Alva added that the markets will have a full-fledged drainage system and the selling counter will be directly connected to the drainage system for free flow of effluents.
Markets will have toilet facilities with wash rooms and rest rooms and slabs made out of granite will be installed. The cold storage facility will prove to be another advantage. More than 60 kg of fish can be stored in the cold storage facility that will be equipped with solar lights. The traders are also trained in business skills, besides sanitation and health care tips. The funding ratio is 90:10 in the proportion by the Central and State government respectively, he said.

Markets
The Udupi district is allotted seven fish markets, of which, the construction work of four are completed and the same have been handed over for local governance. The fisherwomen are already selling fish in the newly built fish markets in Padubidri (Rs 76.92 lakh with seating capacity of 54 wet fishes and 6 dry fishes), Yedthare in Byndoor (Rs 75.82 lakh with seating capacity of 44 wet fishes and 5 dry fishes), Uppunda in Kundapur (Rs 113.65 lakh with the seating capacity of 62 wet fishes and 7 dry fishes) and Katpadi (Rs 69.89 lakh with 37 seats for wet fishes and 6 dry fishes). The fish market at Udupi has a seating capacity of 173.  The funds earmarked for the purpose is Rs 2 crore and work is still under progress. The fish market built at Kota in Kundapur is approved by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and a total of Rs 71.57 lakh is earmarked for the purpose. The seating capacity is 22 for wet fishes and 5 for dry fishes. The other fish market built is in Shirva at the cost of Rs 81.21 lakh has a seating capacity is 42 for wet fishes and 8 for dry fishes respectively.