The fish market at Chintadripet is “scaling” its reach (pun intended). No longer restricted to Arunachlam Street, insulated fish boxes are showing up on Ayya Mudali Street. The shops on this street are changing their trade, the switch being to sale of fish. In case the reader familiar with Ayya Mudali Street’s long-time dalliance with lace garlands and temple umbrellas thinks shops engaged in trade of these hallowed products are making the switch, the answer is a comforting ‘no’. Notable switches to the fish trade involve a stationery shop, a hotel and a fast food eatery. These newly established fish shops do not seem to believe in conducting their trade quietly: they make their presence felt powerfully, so powerful that people have to stop their noses to resist it.

On account of anonymity, a resident of Ayya Mudali Street points out that between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. when the fish trade is at its peak, the sellers place the insulated fish boxes containing ice blocks and fish crates also filled with ice blocks, out on the roads, and the water from the melting ice flows down the street, carrying with it the stench of fish. Pedestrians have to walk gingerly on the street to avoid slipping and falling on account of stagnant water. The street is muddy and slippery. Even movement of vehicles slows down due to the stagnation. It is a disorderly mess and all the way upto 11 a.m., the smell of fish hangs thick in the air.

The resident says that if these fish sellers keep these boxes inside the shop, nobody could raise an accusatory finger at them, as the water would be flowing inside.

K.A. Muralidharan, president of Chintadripet Residents Association, underlines the fact this problem affects all residents. Here is what he has to say: “Six months ago, following a complaint by the Association, the fish owners association took action, and fish sellers began to make sure the fish market premises were kept clean. That is appreciable. But the street is not kept clean.”

Greater Chennai Corporation should look into this issue and regulate how these sellers sell their stick.