Modern ornamental fish trade centre with 188 shops inaugurated in Kolathur 

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday inaugurated the ornamental fish trade centre in Kolathur.

Ornamental fish traders received allotment orders for the trade outlets from the Chief Minister.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority had developed 188 shops for ornamentalfish traders at the centre located on a 4-acre area near Padi Flyover in Villivakkam, with modern laboratories, conferencehalls to promote export of ornamental fish, parking lots for 185 cars, and 200 motorcycles.

Job opportunities

CMDA and HR and CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu said the work on the ₹53-crore project was expedited owing to the rising demand from traders. “The centre is expected to provide employment opportunities for 1,000 people. In 2017, the Chief Minister raised a question in the Assembly while he was Leader of Opposition. He has given an answer for the question today. The foundation stone for the centre was laid in August last year. The project hasbeen completed in 14 months,” he said.

Babu, an ornamental fish trader in the centre, said: “I have been in this business for 32 years. This centre is one of the most important in the country. Ornamental fish trade was affected in Kolathur because of traffic congestion. We requested the Chief Minister to create a centre similar to Uzhavar Santhai.”

‘Attraction for children’

Abitha Begum, another trader, said: “We did not expect such a modern centre of internationalstandard. This trade centre will be an attraction for children. The aesthetics, technical aspects, laboratories, incinerator, and conference hall has attracted foreign clients. The centre will facilitate growth and development of fisheries courses for students,” she said.

Over 500 families in Kolathur depend on ornamental fish breeding for their livelihood.

Kolathur is an important hub of the trade in the country.

Fisheries Minister Anitha R. Radakrishnan, Central Chennai Member of Parliament Dhayanidhi Maran, North Chennai Member of Parliament Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, Mayor R. Priya, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Kakarla Usha, and CMDA Member Secretary G. Prakash participated.