PUDUCHERRY — Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, has inaugurated a series of key fisheries infrastructure projects valued at ₹36.49 crore in Puducherry.
Organized under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) alongside a Multi-Dimensional Capacity Building Conclave for Cooperative-Led Seaweed Farming, the initiatives aim to bolster marine logistics, modernize fish handling, and establish sustainable coastal livelihoods.
Key Project Deliverables & Funding Breakup
The newly launched infrastructure projects target critical operational bottlenecks across Puducherry’s coastal belt:
-
Nallavadu Fish Landing Centre: Constructing a modern landing facility built at a cost of ₹18.94 crore, directly benefiting over 600 local fishing families.
-
Puducherry (Thengaithittu) Fishing Harbour Upgradation: Executing comprehensive infrastructure revamps worth ₹15.63 crore to enhance berthing capacity, auctioning efficiency, and safety protocols.
-
Advanced Centre for Innovation & Capacity Development in Seaweed Farming: Establishing a dedicated technology and training facility at Karaikal at a cost of ₹1.92 crore to scale up cooperative-led seaweed cultivation.
National Growth Trajectory & Future Directives
Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted India’s rapid expansion in seafood production, noting a surge from 95.7 lakh tonnes in 2013–14 to 197.7 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
To further capitalize on marine potential, the Union Minister issued several strategic announcements:
-
Deep-Sea Fishing Focus: Encouraged fishers to expand deep-sea operations targeting high-value pelagic species like tuna, supported by relaxed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) regulations and the upcoming rollout of PMMSY 2.0.
-
Proposed Mahe Fishing Harbour: Promised Central assistance for the development of the proposed Mahe Fishing Harbour, estimated at ₹67 crore, instructing the Puducherry administration to submit the formal project report.
-
Smart Cluster Development: Highlighted the ongoing construction of a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Karaikal under a ₹119.94 crore investment, establishing Karaikal as a designated Fishing Harbour Cluster for Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
Financial Commitments to Puducherry’s Marine Economy
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Shri K. Kailashnathan noted that between 2021 and 2025, the Union Territory executed fisheries projects worth ₹350.26 crore (including ₹296.43 crore in Central aid). An additional outlay of ₹349.14 crore is slated for implementation over the next five years.
Puducherry Chief Minister Thiru N. Rangasamy reaffirmed state-level backing, announcing complete financial coverage for the education of children from fishing families alongside ongoing subsidies for diesel, boat maintenance, and seasonal fishing ban relief.
