Union ministers Parshottam Rupala and Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurate the Cochin fishing harbour modernisation and upgrade project

The Centre sanctioned the proposal of Cochin Port Trust for the modernisation and upgrade of the Cochin fishing harbour at Thoppumpady at a total cost of Rs.169.17 crore.

The Centre will bear Rs100 crore of the total project cost, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Yojana (PMMSY) in a convergence with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under Sagarmala.

Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala stated that the Central 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 the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Sagarmala scheme and PMMSY Scheme.

Several ministers and top officials of the Kerala government were present at the event.

The Cochin fishing harbour modernisation and upgrade project will benefit 700 fishing boats operating at the Cochin fishing harbour, which will support the direct livelihoods of about 10000 fishers and the indirect livelihoods of about 30000 fishers across the value chain.

It is envisaged that the modernisation project will support substantial improvement in hygienic conditions and an increase in earnings from the export of fish and fish products.

The main activities taken up under modernization include the establishment of air-conditioned auction halls, a fish dressing unit, a packaging unit, internal roads, loading & unloading platforms, an office, a dormitory and a food court.

The project has a PPP component of Rs 55.85 crore which include components such as the establishment of cold storage, slurry and tube ice plants, multi-level car parking facility, reverse osmosis plant, food court, retail market etc.