Tata Power, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Project Ltd (CGPL), has launched the ‘Sagarbandhu’ project in partnership with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program - India, to increase the livelihood opportunities of the coastal community, especially fishermen.

The company said here on Monday the project would benefit the fishermen in village Modva of Mandvi taluka through institution building, value chain analysis and scaling up of existing livelihood practices.

The project also emphasises on convergence with the State Government-sponsored programme for the fishermen, for implementation of these schemes with the support of the Village Development Society.

Under this programme, the Gujarat Government has started training on seaweed, a first of its kind programme in the area, exclusively for the fisherwomen. This will create awareness about seaweed and help them gain knowledge on various techniques of collection, processing and trading of seaweed.

For the project implementation, the company has chalked out a community development plan involving the feedback of the Modava community and formed the ‘Modhva Machhimar Gram Vikas Samiti’, registered under the Societies Registration Act.

The 10-day training programme will be conducted by experts giving hands-on experience to fisherwomen. The State Fisheries Department is also extending Rs 125 per day to each of the 30 women beneficiaries as a motivational amount, said K. K. Sharma, Chief, Mundra.

CGPL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed for setting up and operating the 4,000 MW Mundra project, India’s first UMPP, whose first unit is about to be commissioned. CGPL had signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with seven procurers (distribution licensees) from five States, namely, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab for the sale of contracted capacity.

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