Ahom era fish market still off the guard!

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, June 4: Historic Uzan Bazar Paikari Mach Bazar (wholesale fish market) has all along been pale by comparison with its kinds! Even after over two centuries since its inception, the market is still off the grid – without any water supply and electricity facilities.   

Set up in 1815, the history of the market dates back to the Ahom era. It was set up by an Ahom King. The condition of the market is pathetic. Apart from lack of water supply and electricity connection, the market has no place to park the large number of vehicles that gather there every day. The wholesale market opens from 5 am to 8 am. During this three-hour time the market does a brisk business. Since there are no parking lots for the market, the vehicles that gather there have to be removed instantly when the Governor happens to travel by the road only to park them again there after sometime. The road that runs by the side of the market leads one to the Raj Bhawan.

Talking to this reporter, Brihattar Uzan Bazar Anusuchita Nibonuwa Matsya Byobosayee Sanstha secretary Bhaskar Das said: “This market has its history date back to the Ahom era. Even then it is the most neglected market in the city. It has no facilities. The market is under a constant threat from the Brahmaputra. The river side of the market is eroded away by the gobbling river. The government, however, doesn’t feel like going for any preventive measures. The market has no water supply connection, nor that of electricity. We’ve to make do all these on our own. Keeping the market clean is also done by the committee without any initiative from the end of the administration. The market is being maged by the committee, not by any department of the government. Around 5,000 families meet their ends with this business.”