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Our Bureau

Handling centre sponsored by Metro Cash & Carry India opens

Mangalore , Aug. 21

The Karnataka Government is planning to take up expansion work on some of the major fisheries harbours and to construct a few others to provide better infrastructure for fisheries development in the State. In this regard, a Rs 30-crore plan has been prepared for the third phase expansion of fisheries harbour at Old Mangalore Port, according to the Karnataka Fisheries Minister, Mr B. Nagaraj Shetty.

Inaugurating a modern fish-handling centre — sponsored by Metro Cash & Carry India — here on Monday, he said the Government is planning to expand the fisheries harbour at Old Mangalore Port up to Hoige Bazar under the third phase work.

Added to this, plans are also there to provide boat-berthing facilities at Bengre area near the port. Efforts are being made to take over lands for this purpose. The State Government has estimated Rs 30 crore for these works. The Union Government will be requested to conduct a feasibility study in this matter, he said.

The State Government is also planning to take up third phase work at Malpe fisheries harbour in Udupi district. The number of fishing boats, which stood at 300 a few years ago, has touched 1,000 now. Metro Cash & Carry India has been requested to sponsor one such fish-handling centre at Malpe also, Mr Shetty said.

Fisheries harbours are being planned at Hejmady in Udupi district and Ullal in Dakshina Kannada district. The Government is waiting for the feasibility report on Hejmady fisheries harbour. The development of Hejmady and Ullal fisheries harbours will be taken up with private participation, Mr Shetty said.

For the revival of the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation, the Government has drawn up a Rs 2.75-crore plan. Money will be released for this in 10 days, he added.

Modern features

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Michael Keelan, Director (Food Buying and Merchandising), Metro Cash & Carry India, said that better quality fish would bring better returns to fishermen. Built over 450 sq. metres of space in the harbour, this fish-handling centre incorporates modern features such as air curtains, water jets, ventilation systems and skid-proof flooring to preserve quality and improve food safety and hygiene.

The fish-handling centre will be owned, maintained and run by the Department of Fisheries. It will be open to all fishermen and fish merchants in Mangalore, he added.

Mr Shetty also inaugurated a fish auction hall — built with assistance under the ASIDE (Central Assistance to State for Infrastructure Development for Export and allied activities) Scheme — and a rest house for fisherwomen on the occasion.

More Stories on : Aquaculture | Infrastructure | Karnataka

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