In a statement issued by A.S. Shankarapandian, General Secretary of Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI), he stated as follows:
Chennai’s Kolathur area is one of India’s most important centres for the ornamental fish trade. The trade has developed here for more than 40 years. More than 500 families from Kolathur and surrounding areas are engaged in this business. More than 100 varieties of ornamental fish, fish tanks, food, medicines and other products are sold here through roadside shops, small production units, wholesale and retail sales, online sales and exports.
As ornamental fish are exported from here not only within India but also abroad, the area has become an important commercial centre. To develop this industry, the Ornamental Fish Trade Centre at Kolathur was inaugurated in October 2025 by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Built by CMDA at a cost of Rs. 53 crore, the centre has 188 shops, restaurants, parking and other facilities and presents a grand appearance.
However, it is said that currently only around 2 to 20 shops are operating in the centre. Although a new centre was established specifically for ornamental fish traders, they continue to conduct business as before on West Mada Street and nearby locations. As a result, the specified trade centre remains largely empty. Traders say the main reason for the centre’s failure is that clean water with the correct pH is essential for ornamental fish. As the centre lacks this basic facility, fish cannot survive easily and traders are unable to conduct business there.
There is no lift facility to move large tanks and fish packages to the upper floors. Traders therefore face great difficulty in this three-storey building. The absence of storage facilities causes further inconvenience, while high shop rents create economic losses and hardship. The centre, built for the welfare of the specified traders, has failed because it does not adequately address their needs.
Although the commercial building has the appearance of a mall, traders are avoiding it because it lacks basic facilities suited to the ornamental fish trade, including water circulation and ventilation. If the infrastructure required for the ornamental fish trade is provided and pressures such as high rents on traders are avoided, the area can retain its status as India’s second-largest ornamental fish trading centre. Will the government pay attention?
Head Office,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI).