Sambalpur, June 28: Work on the much-awaited hygienic fish market at Kamlibazar has begun and the foundation stone for the project was laid yesterday.

Earlier, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation had planned to set up the fish market at Gobindtola, but later decided to shift it to Kamlibazar.

Deputy commissioner of the corporation Sudhansu Bhoi said: "The estimated cost of the hygienic fish market is Rs 1.10 crore. Our target is to complete the work within six months."

The Kamlibazar fish market will have 24 chambers and facilities like refrigeration, weighing system, running water, drainage and waste disposal system.

Bhoi said that the work on another hygienic fish market, which is being developed at Danipali, was nearing completion. It was expected to be operational within a month.

The Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund has sanctioned Rs 2.35 crore for setting up the two modern hygienic fish markets in the city. Of the total estimated cost, the urban infrastructure body will provide 90 per cent and the civic body 10 per cent. The urban infrastructure body will provide 55 per cent of the estimated cost as grant and the rest 35 per cent as loan that the corporation will repay.

At present, Sambalpur has no organised fish market. Due to its absence, vendors are forced to sell fish along the roads. Once the two modern hygienic fish markets are developed, vendors will be allotted chambers at the markets. The rent for the chambers will be fixed once the markets become operational.

"Once the two fish markets are developed, the vendor will get proper places to do business," said local resident, Dayanidhi Pati.