Surat Fish Market Named Modi Without Approval, Sparks Row
By Business Desk
A new fish market in Surat, India, was controversially named after PM Narendra Modi without official civic approval, sparking local debate and objections.
A newly constructed fish market in Surat faces controversy after a signboard bearing the name “Shri Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market” was installed without official civic approval. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) clarified that the official naming process for the facility remains incomplete.
Located in Surat’s Nanpura-Lakkadkot area, the municipal market features a large signboard with the Prime Minister’s photograph at its entrance. SMC budget documents only identify it as a local fish market, making no mention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Unsanctioned Naming Sparks Local Debate
Local fish merchant Surendra Laskari voiced objections, questioning the suitability of linking the Prime Minister’s name with a seafood facility, especially given PM Modi’s known vegetarianism. Laskari, representing the Kahar-Machi community, proposed that the market should instead honor the traditional fishing community.
Conversely, Kalpesh Navsariwala, president of the Surat Fish Merchant Association, defended the naming decision. He stated it was intended to acknowledge PM Modi’s support for the fisheries and seafood sector.
- PM Modi established a dedicated fisheries ministry.
- Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana have significantly aided the sector.
Traders who had made advance deposits for operating at the facility reportedly also supported the proposed name.
Civic Body’s Stance and Enforcement
SMC officials confirmed that the civic body had not approved the signboard’s installation, rendering its legal status questionable. A civic team initially arrived to remove the board, but refrained after traders voluntarily agreed to take it down themselves.
- The market’s construction cost was Rs 3.90 crore.
The official naming process for the market is still pending, leaving the proposed name and the signboard’s ultimate fate unresolved.
Infrastructure Concerns Emerge
Beyond the naming dispute, traders have also raised concerns regarding the market’s drainage infrastructure. They allege that undersized drain pipes have led to waterlogging in adjacent areas during periods of rain.
The combination of an unapproved name and pending infrastructure fixes leaves the new Surat fish market in a state of operational uncertainty.