Surat fish market naming after Prime Minister sparks trader backlash and municipal review

The Surat Municipal Corporation recently completed a wholesale fish market in the city’s Lakkadkot area of Nanpura, featuring 80 large stalls and an estimated cost of Rs 9-10 crore. A large hoarding bearing the name “Shree Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market” and the prime minister’s photograph was erected at the entrance, prompting criticism from some traders who argue that a vegetarian leader should not be linked to a fish market.

Surendra Lashkari voiced this objection, whereas Kalpesh Navsariwala, president of the Surat Fish Merchant Association, said the association had passed a resolution to name the facility after Modi and highlighted a Rs 3 crore contribution from the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. RD Ganjawala, an executive engineer for the SMC’s Central Zone, clarified that the municipal body has not formally approved the name, noting that the board was placed without an official resolution and that the naming request is under procedural review.

He added that the central government’s grant covered part of the project, with the remainder funded by the corporation. The controversy underscores tensions between local traders and political symbolism in public infrastructure.