The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has finalised a site to develop the first state-of-the-art fish mall in the state. The civic body will soon forward a proposal in the matter for consideration of the standing committee.

The Gujarat wing of the National Federation of Fishermen's Co-operatives Ltd had in November 2008 approached the civic body of all the major cities and also the coastal towns in the state to develop fish malls.

The Managing director of the Gujarat Fisheries Central Co-operative Association Limited (GFCCA), I G Parikh, told Newsline that out of all the major cities of the state, Vadodara was the first to respond positively.

“Ahmedabad will be the hub or the wholesale market and the cities like Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Surat and Rajkot will have retail markets.”

The VMC officials on the other hand maintained that soon after the receipt of the proposal, a hunt for a suitable site was initiated.

“We have identified a piece of land at Kotiyark Nagar near Sudama Nagar (Town Planning-5 Final 568) for the mall. The matter is now with the standing committee and once it is cleared, further communication will be made with the GFCCA officials,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) C M Makwana.

GFCCA officials said the mall will be developed in an area of 2,500 square metres. “The major thrust is on providing hygienic conditions. There will be a cold storage and other support systems which are essential for a mall. Those who will be having their outlets in the mall will also have more profits because ours is a cooperative society,” Parikh said.

Parikh also said that a place in Gomtipur in Ahmedabad has almost been finalised and the final decision about it will soon be taken.

The funds, according to Parikh, are going to be allocated by the National Fisheries Development Board.