The largest local wholesale fish market in Guwahati is in shambles. The market’s condition has worsened with time. Every time it rains, the Sijubari market is engulfed in silt and sewage from overflowing drains. Almost every road leading to the Sijubari fish market is damaged and the buyers say traversing the area is a nightmare. At 5 AM, the streets of Sijubari of Guwahati’s Hatigaon area are filled with the bustling fish market. The Sijubari fish market is considered to be the largest local wholesale fish market in the city. Hence, it makes sense that this market will always be busy. Talking to G Plus, a resident – who has been involved in the fishery business for 13 years – said that the market was established around 1985 in the Bhetapara area.
It was later shifted to the Sijubari locality around 13 years ago due to parking issues. “This fish market started in Bhetapara. It was established around 1985. I have been in this fish market business for 13 years. After the relocation of the market, there has been quite a change in this market,” the resident said. When asked about why the relocation of the bazaar, a local stated, “Vendors or consumers were not able to park their vehicles in the previous place so it created havoc in the Bhetapara area. So people started complaining about the issue.
Hence, it shifted to Sijubari where vendors, suppliers, and buyers can easily park their vehicles in the allotted place.” Even though the footfall of the Sijubari market has increased over the years, certain issues like water logging, parking, sewage and others have continued to trouble the buyers as well as the vendors. Around 200-300 fish vendors in the market consist mainly of local fish sellers, besides direct customers for their livelihood.
From local fish to exotic prawns, this Sijubari fish market has it all. Many fish vendors at the market say they have been battling to survive due to a shortage of customers in the past few weeks. They expect more customers in the coming weeks due to the Rongali Bihu celebrations. “This is where I started. I was the one who first started selling fish in this place.
I, along with my friend came up with this idea of fish business,” one of the fish vendors told G Plus. In this market, bidders put in serious amounts of cash to try to catch the first fish in the market. A local fish seller said his business was at a “loss” during the Ramadan season. “In this Ramzan season, my business is at a loss. I buy here at high prices but have to sell it at a low price,” he said. The market is in a state of despair. Vendors at the market complained that there are no rooftops so they face a Hercules task during the rainy season. Many also claim that they face difficulties because of poor sanitation facilities. “On rainy days, it is very difficult to stay in this market for prolonged hours since there is no roof and it is an open market.
The areas also become contaminated by the water overflowing from the nearby drains. We have to shut down the market early too,” a local vendor said. Flash floods also remain a cause of concern in the area. “It is not only about supply loss but also about a drop in demand during the festive season due to flooding. The price, however, depends from season to season. Today, we sold 2 kg of Moka fish at Rs 300,” another seller said. One of the vendors said there are no bathroom facilities available in the market. “There needs to be a basic public toilet available in the market. We need one.
This is very difficult for us. We have to walk far away to go to the bathroom,” the vendor said. Most parts of Guwahati received light to moderate rainfall in the last few days. And this has only contributed to the woes of the vendors at the fish market in Sijubari. More trouble awaits fish vendors at the Sijubari market as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor of Ward number 42 Masuma Begum claimed the market is “illegal”.
Begum said she had filed several complaints against the fish market but no action has been taken. “First thing is that the fish market is illegal. Even though I have filed complaints to the concerned authorities no strict action has been taken. They go for the eviction drive but we haven’t seen any results yet,” Masuma Begum said.