Bhatkal: The newly constructed hi-tech fish market on Hospital Road in Bhatkal has quickly come to life, attracting enthusiastic crowds and sellers alike within just three days of its opening. What began with disappointment on the first day, when hardly any vendors turned up, has now transformed into a bustling marketplace with over 50 stalls booked in a single day.
Abdul Qadir Faisal, popularly known as Shammas Kobatte, who secured the contract to operate the market for one year, revealed that while only one stall was booked on the inauguration day, today more than 50 counters have been taken, primarily by small-scale yet professional fish vendors. He added that out of the 65 counters available on the ground floor, only a handful remain unoccupied.
Though the market was formally inaugurated back in November 2018 by the then district in-charge minister R.V. Deshpande, it was only on September 1, 2025, that it was finally opened to the public. The initial response was sluggish, with vendors staying away until noon, leaving buyers disappointed. However, once the first vendor arrived, his entire stock sold out within an hour. The following day, a few more vendors set up stalls, and by the third day, the market was buzzing with buyers and stall bookings.
Speaking on the development, Bhatkal Town Municipal Council’s in-charge president, Altaf Kharuri, expressed delight. “The boycott by fish vendors on the first day was discouraging, but with the overwhelming support of the public, nearly all stalls on the ground floor are now booked. We are confident that people will embrace this modern facility, and critics of the market will be proven wrong,” he said.
Among the early visitors on Wednesday was renowned NRI Yunus Qazia, who compared the facility to Dubai’s modern fish markets. “This market has been built on international standards, with excellent arrangements for hygiene and cleanliness. I urge the public to take advantage of these facilities and buy fresh fish only from here,” he said.
To further encourage the vendors and public, several community leaders and youth representatives also visited the market, including Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem general secretary Abdul Raqeeb M.J. Nadvi, former block Congress president advocate Santosh Naik, former Tanzeem secretary Yahya Damudi, and active members of Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation. Yahya Damudi noted that since a large portion of Bhatkal’s population has shifted to the upper areas of the town, this new market — equipped with modern amenities and a strong focus on cleanliness — will naturally attract more customers. He appealed to vendors from the old market to relocate here in order to expand their business in a healthier environment.