The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Aquarium, fish stall and seafood court, all in one

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Aquarium, fish stall and seafood court, all in one

Liffy Thomas

1,800-sq ft dilapidated structure has got a facelift

— Photo: S. S. Kumar

ONE STOP: Different varieties of fish on display at the Neithal Complex are sourced directly from fishermen.

Chennai: You cannot miss this bright-coloured structure while negotiating traffic on Anna Salai in Teynampet. The 1,800-sq ft dilapidated aquarium and fish stall on the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation’s (TNFDC) premises in DMS Complex has got a facelift.

The Corporation threw open its first aquarium-cum-fish stall-cum-seafood court, all in one complex, at the same location on Friday.

Three-in-one complex

Called Neithal Complex, the refurbished facility now occupies 3,000 sq ft. The three-in-one complex is an effort to bring all seafood lovers and marine enthusiasts to one stop.

Talking to The Hindu, Shambhu Kallolikar, Commissioner of Fisheries, said, “the idea is to create such a model that private entrepreneurs can follow the same.”

“We have plans to open at least five such centres in the city alone. These complexes will have a fish stall and an aquarium, though the size may not be as big as the current,” he added.

Some of the locations identified are Chetpet, Santhome, Ashok Pillar and Adyar, “where we already have our premises,” he added.

The aquarium has on display many varieties of fish. Excepting the marine variety, all other fishes on display are for sale.

To attract more visitors, the Corporation plans to change the tropical fish varieties once in 10 or 30 days.

The fish stall, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., has different varieties of fish sourced directly from fishermen.

Besides, pickles and dry fish packets, the place should attract more footfalls because of its economical pricing, says its staff.

“From Pulicat to Chengalpattu, covering around 70 villages, we have the fish sourced here,” said an official of the Fisheries Department.

The sea food court, on the other hand, will cater to customers on the go with fish delights like crab soup, sea fish curry, dinner with a fish variety, etc.

The restaurant will be open for lunch (noon to 3 p.m.) and dinner (6 to 9 p.m.). It would also be open from 4 to 6 p.m.

New addition

“The seafood court is the new addition in the Neithal complex, where we have hired a chef to cater to gourmet lovers. The other two counters have our staff working,” the official said.

On proposals for the existing complexes in Anna Nagar and Nandanam, the official said, “we have plans to refurbish them too. The Nandanam centre might have a restaurant too.”

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