In a move aimed at uplifting the lives of fisherfolks, the Union Minister for Fisheries Parshottam Rupala and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will lay the foundation stone of modernisation of Paradip Fishing Harbour in Odisha today.
With a total estimated cost of Rs 108.91 cr, the project has received approval from the central government for the modernisation and upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour with 100% central financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The fishing harbour project is implemented by Paradip Port, which will be completed in one and half years.
“This modernisation of Fishing Harbour will improve the lives of the thousands of Fishermen and allied workers who depend on the harbour for their livelihood. The modernisation and value-addition activities taken up under the aforementioned project will also generate new employment opportunities of skilled and unskilled nature,” the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Further, the projects aimed at improving its hygienic conditions and making the harbour clean, pollution-free, aesthetically good-looking, providing new, efficient and essential infrastructure facilities. Besides, it will also mechanise the fish process and ensure good management practices. Situated 210 nautical miles south of Kolkata and 260 nautical miles north of Visakhapatnam on the east coast of Bay of Bengal, Paradip is one of the major ports of India.
Spread in an area of about 43 acres, the port is an important fishing harbour in Odisha. The harbour was initially designed to accommodate 370 vessels (10m), 80 (13 m) vessels and 50 (15m) vessels and traditional crafts. At present, it caters to about 640 (15 m) vessels and 100 (9m) Gill Netter (FRP boats) for harbour facilities.
The project on modernisation and upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour envisages construction of a new Auction Hall, new commercial complex, extension of quay wall, shore protection works, renovation of existing auction hall, gear shed, fish packing shed, ice crushing hall, first aid centre, raising of compound wall, electrical works, and overhead water tank. Besides, the solar power plant, solar lights, and navigational aids/radio communication will be upgraded as part of the project.