HYDERABAD: The proposal to construct wholesale fish markets in different locations of the city is gathering dust since last four years due to the lackadaisical attitude of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) even after National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has released the funds.
Meanwhile, NFDB is bringing pressure on the corporation to return the sanctioned amount of Rs 4.45 crore it released to GHMC for the construction of fish markets at Kukatpally, Mallapur, Chilkalguda (Doodhbavi) and Begum Bazar as GHMC has failed to ground the works till date.
As per the financial pattern, about 90 percent of the project cost is to be borne by NFDB and the balance 10 per cent and additional cost if any, is required to be borne by the GHMC. Of the NFDB share of Rs 6.69 crores, it has already released `4.45 crore to GHMC.
As per the government orders issued in March 2013, the construction of fish markets should be completed in 12 months by GHMC. However, due to various reasons, GHMC could not execute the works in the given time frame.
The GHMC in 2016 approached NFDB requesting them for extension of time up to March 2017 for constructing the fish markets and NFDB extended the time for completion of all the fish markets by March 2017.
However, with just one month left before the deadline, the GHMC failed to even invite tenders for the construction. Meanwhile, GHMC commissioner, B Janardhan Reddy a few days ago had written a letter to NFDB executive director requesting for extension of time up to March 31, 2018, for the completion of the project.
He stated that tender process for construction of fish markets at Kukatpally, Mallapur and Chilkalguda in Secunderabad is under progress. The Begum Bazar fish market is held up due to its heritage tag. NFDB is yet to take a decision on the extension of time sought by GHMC.
Sources said that the state government in March 2013 sanctioned three wholesale fish markets costing Rs 10.52 crore, however, the NFDB approved the project for Rs 7.44 crore which includes Kukatpally (Rs 2.50 crore), Mallapur (Rs 2.44 crore and Begum Bazar (Rs 2.50 crore).
The 90 per cent share of NFDB includes Kukatpally (Rs 2.20 crore), Mallapur (Rs 2.19 crore) and Begum Bazar (Rs 2.25 crore). The estimated cost arrived at by the GHMC is Rs 10.52 crore which includes Kukatpally (Rs 2.78 crores), Mallapur (Rs 2.49 crore) and Begum Bazar (Rs 5.25 crore).
GHMC officials said that tenders would be invited for Mallapur and Kukatpally fish markets in a month or two as DPRs are getting ready. The project got delayed due to disputes which were recently resolved. Now, all sites are in possession of GHMC.