Modernisation, Upgradation Of Cochin Fishing Harbour To Begin Soon

Union Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala and Minister of Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the project on Modernisation and Up-gradation of Cochin Fishing Harbour at Thoppumpady, Samudrika Hall, Willingdon Island, Cochin Port Authority, Cochin.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India in March 2022 sanctioned the proposal of Cochin Port Trust for Modernisation and upgradation of Cochin Fishing Harbour at Thoppumpady at a total cost of Rs 169.17 crore with central financial assistance of Rs 100 crore under PMMSY in a convergence with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under Sagarmala.

The project will benefit 700 fishing boats operating at Cochin fishing harbor, which will support direct livelihoods of about 10,000 fishers and indirect livelihoods of about 30,000 fishers across the value chain. It is envisaged that the modernisation project will support in substantial improvement in the hygienic conditions and increase in earnings from export of fish and fish products.

The main activities taken up under modernisation include establishment of air-conditioned Auction halls, Fish dressing unit, Packaging unit, internal roads, loading & unloading platforms, Office, Dormitory and Food court. The project has PPP component of Rs 55.85 crore which include components such as establishment of cold storages, slurry & tube ice plants, multi-level car parking facility, reverse osmosis plant, food court, retail market etc.

The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying stated that the Government has approved projects to the tune of more than Rs 7,500 crore for the development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres under Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Sagarmala scheme and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Yojana (PMMSY) Scheme.