Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has ordered all fish vendors along Loop Road near Marina Beach to move to the newly constructed fish market by October 19 or face enforcement action.
Despite being assigned stalls in the modern facility, several vendors continue to sell on Loop Road, which has now been declared a no-vending zone. The GCC has urged the public to purchase fish only from the market and use the free parking spaces provided.
To enforce the shift, a surveillance team comprising GCC officials and traffic police has been deployed to monitor the area. A patrol station will also be set up near the market to prevent unauthorized vending.
At a press conference held at the new facility, a GCC official outlined the market’s amenities and stressed the importance of compliance. The market, inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on August 12, completed its stall allocation by August 27. While some vendors relocated by October 5, many remain on Loop Road despite repeated instructions to move.
This relocation effort follows a 2023 Madras High Court suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) aimed at curbing encroachments and regulating fish vending on Loop Road.
The new market’s stall assignments were based on a 2020 vendor survey. Of those originally listed, some vendors have since exited the business, leaving 284 active vendors—primarily from Nochikuppam, Nochi Nagar, and Dumeel Kuppam—now operating at the new premises.
Vendors who have already moved raised concerns over reduced sales, with some reporting significant drops since the shift. There are also complaints about insufficient storage facilities to handle large daily stock.
GCC officials assured that additional storage solutions would be introduced soon. They also promised logistical support to help vendors transport their catch, including nets and equipment, directly to the market.
Some vendors still operating on Loop Road expressed concerns that customers might only purchase from stalls near the entrance, leaving those further inside at a disadvantage.
Addressing these fears, GCC officials stated that customers typically focus on product quality and value, not stall location. They added that the market layout ensures easy access to all stalls, providing equal opportunities for every vendor.
The GCC reiterated that the relocation is essential for maintaining order and compliance, and officials are prepared to take strict action against those who fail to move by the deadline.