Months after a hurried pre-election inauguration, the shopping complex at Neendakara fishing harbour in Kollam lies abandoned and neglected.
| Photo Credit: C. Sureshkumar
What was meant to be a bustling commercial hub at the Neendakara fishing harbour in Kollam now sits completely deserted, leaving local traders in limbo. The multi-lakh shopping complex constructed in connection with harbour development currently lie abandoned even months after its inauguration.
The two-storey structure with 24 shop spaces and a mini hall was hurriedly inaugurated before the State Assembly elections, only to be left locked and forgotten ever since. The neglect has taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure, leaving metal fittings rusted and turning the site into an unhygienic dumping ground. Vendors and fishers report that the abandoned structure has effectively transformed into a notorious hideout for drug pushers and anti-social elements, prompting frequent law enforcement crackdowns under Operation Toofan.
The ongoing deadlock has hit displaced local vendors the hardest. “Though traders who voluntarily allowed their temporary stalls to be demolished were promised immediate reallotment, the premises remain off-limits to them due to some issues,” says a vendor.
Broader decay
According to fishers, this abandoned complex is emblematic of a much broader decay sweeping across one of India’s primary fishing hubs. They say the harbour, which serves as a vital lifeline for thousands of workers, daily traders, and vessel operators, is falling into complete disrepair. “The entire expanse is becoming overgrown with wild vegetation and basic maintenance on harbour sheds has ground to a halt. Even newly constructed public toilets and minor shelters remain shuttered, serving as resting spots for stray dogs rather than serving the public,” says Reji, a fisher.
Crucial infrastructure outside the main complex is equally compromised. “Key access roads leading into the harbour are severely damaged, while essential dredging operations have come to a standstill. Aggravating the issue is the total absence of a structured waste management system across the harbour, which has led to widespread pollution, unhygienic working conditions, and escalating frustration among workers. Though officials recently claimed that a comprehensive development master plan has been drafted to address these grievances, local fishing communities remain skeptical,” says Jackson Neendakara, district secretary, Matsyathozhilali Congress.
Published – August 14, 2026 07:45 pm IST
