Bengalis in Delhi deprived of freshwater fish

As the sun sets, gloom descends upon South Delhi's Chittaranjan Park's landmark marketplace. Or should that be former markets.

The markets housing about 30 shops each had 20-25 stalls selling freshwater fish that catered not only to the predominantly Bengali population but also to others who came looking for at least ten different varieties of fish.

Since the demolition, a few fish sellers set up makeshift shops every evening only to be driven away by the police.

Says Ashim "We have nowhere to go as there is not enough space available in other markets also. "We are allowed to sit here only if we pay the police who do the rounds in the area. But that means cutting into our daily income. Most fish sellers have now shifted to markets in other areas as it will take at least a year for the permanent shops to be built."

According to a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official, "In place of the shanties, a proper market will be rebuilt and allocated to shop owners chosen from a draw. A two-storey shopping complex would be built at Market No 1 and a three-storey complex at Market No 2."

The fish sellers as well as vegetable vendors will be provided a separate section at the market to ensure sanitary conditions. The market will also include shops selling grocery, furniture and textiles. Provision for proper drainage, water and electricity connections, waste management systems and garbage collection will also be made, the official informed.

The demolition by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) took place following a High Court ruling, on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the resident's welfare association (RWA) of the colony. The RWA went to court last year and got a fav-ourable ruling.

"The markets were operating in extremely unhygienic conditions and posed a serious traffic problem. Several residents desired a composite market and we had to resort to this step," said a RWA member.

Dismissing the panic set in over fish not being available as earlier, he said that some residents were getting unduly perturbed. "They will have to be patient. In fact, residents need to be cooperative and should be happy about the fact that their RWA is so active and working towards construction of a model market."

Some shopkeepers, meanwhile, are making good money by selling fish at a higher price because of the paucity of fish.

Rues Pradeep Chatterjee, a resident of Greater Kailash, who has been a regular at the markets for 15 years, "Fish is the staple diet of Bengalis. And due to this situation we have to pay Rs10 more for each kilogramme. Or else have to go to the adjoining markets." Nirupama Sengupta says, "My husband is generally out of town and I have to go alone to Kalkaji or INA market to buy fish, but most times do not get much variety of fresh water fish there."