Hyderabad: Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari on Friday laid the foundation stone for the ₹47.03-crore Koheda fish market, an export-oriented integrated wholesale fish market to be built in Ranga Reddy district.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the Telangana Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, was committed to the comprehensive development of the fishing community. He said the project would become the country’s first modern inland freshwater fish export centre outside a coastal region and would strengthen domestic and international marketing opportunities for fish produced in Telangana.
The Minister said the project was being taken up under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, with 60 per cent funding from the Centre and 40 per cent from the State. He said Telangana currently ranked first in India in freshwater fish production and that the new facility would help increase exports and improve returns for fishermen.
He also extended greetings on National Fish Farmers Day and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of the Mudiraj community and fishermen. He said the government would continue supporting their development without compromise.
Koheda fish market to generate jobs and boost exports
The Koheda fish market will include modern cold storage facilities, fish processing units, packaging centres, a training centre, customs facilities and a large wholesale trading complex. Around 2,000 traders are expected to conduct business at the market, while nearly 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities are likely to be created.
Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said the project would become a milestone in the development of fishermen by providing modern marketing infrastructure, better prices and export opportunities. Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy said the market’s strategic location near the Vijayawada National Highway, Nagarjunasagar Road and the Outer Ring Road would benefit fishermen, Mudiraj and Besta communities. He said around 13 acres of government land had been allotted for the project and requested an additional ₹50 crore to expand the facility with advanced infrastructure.
Fisheries Director Nikhila, Fruit Market Chairman Chiluka Madhusudhan Reddy, Ranga Reddy District Fishermen Cooperative Society president Doosa Venkatesh, Fisheries Additional Director Muralikrishna, Additional Collector Chandra Reddy, officials and members of the fishing community attended the programme.