Local fish back on plates after lockdown curb on outsourcing

Ranchi:

Fish

lovers in Ranchi are in for a treat as

local

varieties of fish are back on their platters, courtesy the nationwide lockdown. The city usually sources its stock from states like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, but after the lockdown was enforced, transportation from these states in trains have come to a halt, leaving sellers to look to the local varieties.

From the Distillery Bridge in Kokar to numerous sellers lining up with freshly-caught fish in Kanke, Lalpur, Bariatu and other parts of the city, the fancy salt water fish like loita and prawns now have strong contenders in the form of the local varieties of fish like rohu, catla, mrigal carps, among others.

Visually, the two varieties hardly have a difference, however, only a true connoisseur can distinctly differentiate between the taste of a local rohu and the one sourced from outside and at any given time, would prefer the local variety for its sweeter taste.

The local varieties have also helped fish sellers earn a better profit. While a kilogram of rohu sourced from outside would cost anything between Rs 150 and Rs 220, people are not pulling themselves away from buying the local variety for Rs 250 or Rs 300 a kilogram. These local fish are generally caught from the dams and ponds within the city limits and are fresher than the ones that used to come from outside.

“Initially there was a certain sense of caution regarding eating non-vegetarian

food

due to rumours, but I couldn’t stop myself from stepping out to buy fresh fish when I heard from a neighbour that a few sellers are setting up shops,” said 50-year-old S Sushil Das, a resident of Anantpur.

Fish seller Rajan, who sets up his stall near Chiraundi in Morhabadi area, said, “I started selling fish in the second week of May and the only variety I have since sold is the locally-sourced rohu from Adalhatu area.” Rajan added that a kilogram of the fish sells at anything between Rs 250 and Rs 300 depending on the size. “I set up my stall at 4am and by 8am, I am barely left with anything,” he said.

Home-maker Alpana Jha (38) said, “My children prefer to have prawns, but out of curiosity I bought some fresh catla last Sunday and they loved it. I am planning to buy some more soon.”