Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, and Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Sunday, June 11, inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cochin Fishing Harbour Modernization and Upgradation project. This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways under the Sagarmala program, aims to enhance the infrastructure and facilities of the harbor.
The Cochin Fishing Harbour, located at Thoppumpady in Cochin, is set to receive a total investment of Rs. 169.17 crore, with Rs. 100 crore as central financial assistance from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The project focuses on the development of various amenities, including air-conditioned auction halls, fish dressing units, packaging facilities, internal roads, loading and unloading platforms, offices, dormitories, and a food court.
This modernization endeavor is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of around 10,000 direct beneficiaries, comprising fishers, and approximately 30,000 indirect beneficiaries involved in the fishing value chain. By improving hygiene standards and enabling higher earnings from fish and fish product exports, the project will contribute to the sustainable growth of the local fishing industry.
In addition to the government's financial support, the project incorporates a public-private partnership (PPP) component worth Rs. 55.85 crore. This aspect encompasses the establishment of cold storages, slurry and tube ice plants, multi-level car parking facilities, a reverse osmosis plant, a food court, and a retail market.
The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying emphasized the government's commitment to the development of modern fishing harbors and fish landing centers.
Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Sagarmala scheme, and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Yojana (PMMSY) Scheme, more than Rs. 7,500 crore has been allocated to various projects, signaling the government's focus on boosting the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in India.
