Bhatkal’s hi-tech fish market set to open on September 1, auction process done

Bhatkal’s long-delayed hi-tech fish market on Hospital Road is finally set to open for business on September 1, according to Bhatkal Town Municipal Council (TMC) in-charge president Mohiddin Altaf Kharuri.

Kharuri said the auction process to lease the facility was completed recently, with Abdul Qadir Faisal, also known as Shammas Kobbatte, winning the bid to operate the market for one year.

The new facility has over 60 designated points for fish sales and additional space on the first floor for trading or office purposes. Toilets and bathrooms have been provided for both customers and sellers, and other arrangements have been made to ensure clean and efficient fish trading.

The project was sanctioned by the Coastal Development Board in 2016-17 at a cost of ₹1.38 crore. Construction was completed in 2018, and the market was inaugurated by then district in-charge minister R.V. Deshpande. However, disputes and delays over the past seven to eight years prevented the closure of the old market and the shift to the new building.

In a recent general body meeting, the municipal council decided to open the new market without further delay. Minor repair and cleaning work is now complete, paving the way for operations to begin next month.

Kharuri urged residents and traders to make full use of the new facility and to purchase fish exclusively from the hi-tech market once it opens.

The auction process was attended by TMC in-charge chief officer Venkatesh Nauda, municipal standing committee chairman Qaiser Mohtisham, and other councillors.