Crowds Throng Vizag Fishing Harbour on Gandhi Jayanti
The civic body also warned that it would initiate legal action against traders found violating the closure order.
Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam witnessed a sharp increase in seafood purchases on Wednesday as residents flocked to the city’s fishing harbour ahead of Gandhi Jayanti. The rush followed the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s announcement that all meat, poultry and fish shops would remain closed on October 2.
GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg announced that goat meat, chicken and fish shops, along with slaughterhouses within the municipal limits, would remain closed in observance of Gandhi Jayanti. The civic body also warned that it would initiate legal action against traders found violating the closure order.
The announcement prompted many non-vegetarian consumers to purchase fish and meat a day in advance. Consequently, the fishing harbour began witnessing heavy footfall from the early hours of Friday morning. Buyers crowded the fish stalls and cleaning sheds, while vendors stayed busy serving the steady flow of customers.
B. Kumari, a fish cleaner at the harbour, said business was brisk because the quantity of fish brought for cleaning had increased considerably. “More fish came for cleaning today, and I earned a good income,” she said.
Several residents said they had stocked up to avoid inconvenience during the closure. Ch. Lakshmi said she bought all the non-vegetarian items her household needed a day in advance. Another customer, G. Madhu, said, “I used the holiday to visit the fishing harbour and buy fish.”
The rush turned the fishing harbour into one of the city's busiest places. Vendors reported strong sales, while long queues formed at several stalls and fish-cleaning counters until 11 am.
