Berhampur, March 20: The local merchants' association is opposed to shifting of the Kamapalli fish market. The municipal corporation wants to have the market moved to the newly-built facility in front of MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

The fish market at Kamapalli is situated in the heart of the city. Around a tonne of fish is sold at the 45-year-old market every day. Around 400 traders operate from here.

Municipal commissioner Manoj Kumar Mahanty said the Kamapalli fish market would be shifted because it was situated near the district judge's court.

"Twenty stalls and two platforms have already been constructed at the new fish market at a cost of Rs 20 lakh," he said.

The new fish market is equipped with water and drainage facilities. An extra bore well may be constructed shortly near the new fish market to meet additional demand, sources said.

However, president of Kamapalli Merchants Association Prabhat Kumar Patnaik said the stalls at the new market were too small.

"A 7feetX8feet stall is not spacious. The vegetable stalls situated in front of the fish market are 8feetX10feet. There is also no water supply in the market because the bore well dug near the vegetable shops is defunct," he said. "What better can we expect from the municipal corporation?"

He said: "We have knocked the door of the high court for justice and will never accept the new fish market and vacate the present Kamapalli market till the corporation streamlines the process."