Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)
Udupi, May 2: Trucks laden with fish arriving from outstation states are causing concern in the green zone district of Udupi. People are urging the administration to ban these trucks in order to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Unscientific light fishing is being conducted in the deep seas of Ratnagiri of Maharashtra and Goa, due to which the fishermen are getting huge cache of fish. Fish merchants of Udupi are competing with one another for that fish.
Trucks from Kundapur, Trasi, Gangolli and Udupi are going to fetch fish from outstation states and sell the same in Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts. The drivers and cleaners of these trucks are locals. The public of Udupi is scared that these drivers and cleaners may bring the infection from outstation states.
Goa state does not allow trucks carrying fish from Maharashtra. Now the trucks are entering the district of Udupi through Kolhapur-Hubballi-Yellapur-Ankola-Bhatkal-shirur route. Goa trucks are entering the district through Karwar. Nearly 60 outstation trucks are entering the district carrying fish from outstation states.
In Maharashtra, till Friday, 11,506 people have been infected with coronavirus. The drivers and cleaners of these fish trucks are in the ice plant in the day time and visit their houses in the night. In some areas locals have had arguments and fights with these people also. The locals are accusing that the owners of fish trucks are offering double salary and perks to drivers and cleaners and that is why they are going to outstation states to bring fish to the district.
Raghavendra Ganiga, member of Gujjadi gram panchayat says, "All connection with a red zone state like Maharashtra which is hit hard by coronavirus should be snapped. Traditional boat fishing is being carried out in the district. That is enough for local consumption. We are under panic from the local drivers and cleaners who bring fish from outstation states. We have given information to MLA as well as local administration. Mumbai fish truck movement should be banned within the district."