Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur,Jun 29: There are several fish markets in Udupi district that have been built and inaugurated. However, they suffer from substandard work and absence of even minimum facilities.

It has been over four months since the district in-charge minister inaugurated the fish market built within the limits of Kavarady gram panchayat in the taluk. Within four months, the building is showing all signs of being of poor quality. This market, although it was inaugurated, was not handed over to the panchayat and hence never used by fish vendors. It is also true that this fish market has not been provided with even minimum infrastructure and facilities.

The interlock laid in front of the building is coming off completely. The locals are saying that the building, built by spending Rs 4 lac, is sure to get dilapidated within a year. The waste processing tank located in the back of the building has slid down during this rainy season. The huge tank of drinking water located by its side is facing the prospect of crashing to the ground anytime now.

When inquiries were made in the panchayat office, the officials said that the building has not been handed over to them by the contractor. Therefore, the panchayat is unable to undertake maintenance work of the market. The fish market, which was inaugurated in a hurry, has turned into another example for government money going down the drain.