Amritsar Municipal Corporation Launches Major Crackdown on Historic Fish Market
In a significant enforcement action, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation conducted a major drive on Monday, sealing approximately 10 shops in the city's prominent wholesale fish market located inside the historic Hall Gate area. The operation also targeted about eight tobacco kiosks as part of the city's Holy City regulations.
Traders Left Distressed Without Alternative Arrangements
The sudden enforcement action has left shop owners in considerable distress, with their fresh stock remaining locked inside the sealed premises, resulting in substantial financial losses. Rajendra Kumar, a fourth-generation prominent fish dealer, expressed deep concern over the corporation's actions.
"We do not know any other profession. How can we suddenly shift to something else?" questioned Kumar, emphasizing the generational nature of their trade. He highlighted that the market has existed since the time of the Indo-Pak Partition, with families engaged in the business for three to four generations.
Historical Significance and Economic Impact
The Amritsar fish market holds considerable historical significance and plays a crucial role in the local economy. According to traders, the market not only serves Amritsar but also supplies fish to adjoining districts and regions, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The market has earned a reputation for providing high-quality fish that is widely appreciated across India, making it an important economic hub beyond just local consumption.
Holy City Notification and Enforcement
This enforcement action follows the Punjab government's historic notification issued on December 15, 2025, declaring the Walled City of Amritsar a Holy City. The notification specifically prohibits the sale and use of meat, tobacco products, and alcohol within its limits.
Dharmenderjit Singh, Amritsar MC estate officer, confirmed that a team from the corporation, along with officials from the Animal Husbandry Department and police personnel, executed the sealing operation. The action targeted establishments violating the Holy City regulations that were notified nearly four months earlier.
Traders' Plea for Alternative Solutions
Fish dealers maintain that they had submitted a formal reply to earlier notices from the corporation, requesting an alternative site for their businesses. They claim they received no response before Monday's enforcement action.
Kumar urged the corporation to designate a suitable and secure location where traders could continue their business without fear or uncertainty. He emphasized that the government must ensure the establishment of an alternative fish market in Amritsar to preserve livelihoods and maintain the supply chain that serves multiple regions.
The recent notices issued by the corporation had asked traders to vacate their shops by March 31, but the lack of alternative arrangements has created significant uncertainty for the business community that has operated in the area for generations.
