Mangaluru : Amid protests by fisherwomen, Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake on Monday inaugurated the new fish market at Jeppu.

The market, which provides space for selling dry fish, sea fish and fresh water fish, has been built at a cost of Rs. 92.5 lakh provided by the National Fisheries Development Board and the Fisheries Department.

With a separate fish market, there would be relief for people from smell of fish that was bothering people coming to Jeppu market to buy vegetables.

As many as 21 stalls on the ground floor will be used for selling sea and fresh water fish. There are 25 stalls on the first floor for selling dry fish. Four public toilets have also been constructed. The construction of this building began in 2011.

A group of fisherwomen from other parts of the city wanted the Mangaluru City Corporation to provide them space to sell fish. The space should not be restricted to those from Jeppu and surrounding areas. These women submitted a memorandum in this regard. They also questioned MLA J.R. Lobo and local councillors for denying permission to sell fish. Expressing his unhappiness over the hurried inauguration of the fish market, local councillor Premanand Shetty said the MCC had failed to get a permanent electricity connection for the building.

“Now traders will be operating with temporary power connection that would be disconnected in another 10 days.” Mr. Shetty said the MCC has failed to resolve the complaint of fishermen about the ramp at the entrance that was too steep, he said.