Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to lay the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art wholesale fish market at Pandara in Bhubaneswar on October 11.
Official sources said PM Modi is set to lay the foundation stone through video conference. The ambitious project, estimated to cost around Rs 60 crore, will be executed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Modi is also scheduled to launch the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana and lay the foundation stone for an integrated aqua park at Hirakud on the same occasion.
The announcement was made during a video conference chaired by Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, which was attended by agriculture ministers of the states.
The modern fish market will not only boost local fisheries infrastructure but also enhance the livelihood opportunities for fish workers as well as traders in the state. Officials said the project is likely to create a modern, hygienic, and well-equipped space for wholesale and retail fish trade in the capital city.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Energy Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, and Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Gokulananda Mallik represented Odisha at the meeting.
Union Minister Chouhan informed that the Prime Minister will address the nation during the virtual launch and interact with farmers from across the country. The event will be live-streamed at all Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Odisha.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the new schemes and projects are aimed at ensuring food security, providing nutritious food, and enhancing farmers’ income and production. Over 50 lakh farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are expected to benefit from these initiatives.
It may be noted that the PMMSY is a flagship initiative of the Union government, launched by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It aims to establish a comprehensive framework for sustainable and responsible growth of the fisheries sector.
With an overall investment of Rs 20,050 crore, PMMSY seeks to bridge infrastructure gaps, promote innovation, and usher in a ‘Blue Revolution’, ensuring ecologically balanced, economically viable, and socially inclusive development. The scheme focuses on improving fish production, modernizing supply chains, and strengthening welfare measures for India’s fishing communities.
The proposed fish market in Odisha capital is seen as a major step toward achieving these goals and transforming the state into a hub of sustainable fisheries and marine trade.
India has recorded a significant increase in the production of food grains and vegetables this year. Chouhan urged all states to work towards achieving self-reliance in pulses and oilseed production.