Kolathur in Chennai to open its first upscale fish market

Chennai’s Kolathur area is known for its bustling ornamental fish market trade, which is the second biggest in the country. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has announced plans to construct a modern market complex in the area, spread over 4.5 acres at an estimated cost of 53 crore. This initiative is part of Chief Minister M K Stalin’s vision to regularize markets in his constituency and provide a clean and spacious environment for vendors and customers.

The ornamental fish market in Kolathur offers a wide variety of fish, including popular breeds like Oscars, Gourami, sucker fish, guppy, carp, and goldfish. The market is a hub for ornamental fish trade, with both legal and illegal stalls contributing to a monthly business of 300 crore. The new two-storey market complex will have space for 180 shops, including a wall-mounted glass fish tank for eight stalls. This modern facility is expected to benefit over 3,000 vendors in the area.

The market complex will feature 64 shops on the ground floor, 70 on the first floor, and 54 on the second floor. Each shop will be 4m by 5m in size with a height of 3.75m, providing ample space for vendors to display their products. Additionally, CMDA has planned a large promenade on the northern facade, a large open-air theatre, two courtyards with aquariums, and a food court with a seating capacity of 250 people on the second floor. The parking space for 230 cars and 200 bikes will ensure convenience for customers visiting the market.

Minister P K Sekarbabu mentioned that the construction of the market complex will be carried out by CMDA, while the maintenance will be the responsibility of the fisheries department. Unlicensed shops will be regularized and brought under CMDA’s ambit, ensuring a fair and regulated market environment for all vendors. The market complex is expected to boost the ornamental fish trade in Kolathur and provide a modern and hygienic shopping experience for customers.

One of the fish-stall owners, K Sekar, expressed his hope for a similar market complex in South Chennai to promote the trade further. He emphasized the availability of purebred fish in Kolathur, which may not be found in smaller aquariums within the city. By expanding such modern market complexes to other areas, the government can support and promote the ornamental fish trade, benefiting both vendors and customers alike.