Constructed during the Nizam era, the Begum Bazaar fish market is now on its last legs and has been crying for attention for long. Once a prime market, the area is now plagued with a plethora of problems, including lack of sufficient space, inadequate water supply, faulty power supply and absence of a proper parking space. Amid the dingy conditions, fish vendors have been conducting their business since many years. After sweating it out to park their vehicles near in the market vicinity, visitors have to wade through the slushy market to make their purchases. The stench and unhygienic conditions are making life miserable for residents and shopkeepers in the area as well. Despite many representations, the Municipal Corporation has hardly taken up any repairs or provided facilities, said Abdul Majid, a fish trader. Every day hundreds of fish lovers from the city and a few from neighbouring districts too arrive at the market to purchase fish, prawns and other varieties. The government had made plans to construct a multi-level market in the past but all these plans were confined to papers. The plight of mutton traders in the market is even more pathetic. There are about 26 stalls in the mutton market and of these, a majority is vacant. There is no power supply, no cleanliness and municipal corporation workers do not clean and lift the trash regularly, says Ibrahim, a shopkeeper. On the other hand, authorities inform that it has been identified as a heritage structure, while a case was filed in court opposing any demolition activity. It is not just the case of the Begum Bazaar fish market, but other markets like the Monda Market and Musheerabad Market too are plagued with similar problems. GHMC yet to build markets from NFDB funds Giving in to long-pending demands from fishermen societies in the city, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) had sanctioned four fish markets at Begum Bazaar, Kukatpally, Nacharam and Domalguda in 2012. Each market was to be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore and the total project was estimated at Rs 8.91 crore, of which 90 per cent was to be borne by the NFDB and the rest by the GHMC. The NFDB had sanctioned Rs 4.4 crore to the GHMC for constructing the markets. But for reasons better known to GHMC officials, the construction is yet to begin. A senior GHMC official said construction at Nacharam and Domalguda could not be taken up due to space crunch. The GHMC has now finalised on Chilkalguda and Mallapur to construct the markets. However, irked with delay over construction of markets, the NFDB is now demanding the GHMC to complete work at the earliest or submit a utilisation report for the funds sanctioned or to refund the amount with interest. Begum Bazaar market design soon Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Development Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said designs for constructing a multi-level fish market at Begum Bazaar will be finalised shortly. The foundation too would be laid soon. Inspecting the fish markets at Begum Bazaar and Monda Market here on Friday, the Minister said the Telangana government was constructing 50 model fish markets across the State. Money was not a criterion for constructing the markets, he said, adding that the new markets would have cellar parking, exclusive floors for retailers and wholesalers and adequate facilities. Construction works will commence only after association members approve the new design, he said.
2016, Telangana Today.