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The upgraded infrastructure at Cochin Fisheries Harbour will be inaugurated by K.V. Thomas, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, here on Monday.
The upgradation of the existing infrastructure and construction of additional facilities were taken up with a view to meeting the international standards of hygiene and cleanliness and for assuring fish quality and food safety of the fish handled through the harbour.
The major items of works carried out under the up-gradation proposal included improvements to roads and drainage system, renovation works to wharf frontage, improvements to auction halls, construction of new facilities such as two fish packing halls cum truck parking area, construction of effluent treatment plant.
Cochin Fisheries Harbour was established by the Cochin Port Trust as a grant-in-aid project of Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 1978-79. A 300 tonne capacity slipway complex was constructed at CFH in 1987. Additional facilities were created during 1992 and 2004 also.
In 2009, the Agriculture Ministry granted of Rs 980.20 lakhs for further up gradation/modernization of infrastructure. These works have been completed by December 2012.
The Ministry also accorded approval for dredging work at CFH Basin at an estimated cost of Rs 220 lakhs on the condition that 50 per cent of the cost has to be borne by the Port Trust. The dredging work was completed in July 2012.
According to port officials, a master plan for land use in the Fisheries Harbour has been prepared through consultants, which suggests developments to be taken up in a phased manner.
The report recommends several improvements in the wharf area that included extension of existing net repairing hall, provision of weigh-bridge, additional fish gear and net repair shed.
Based on the recommendations in the land use plan report, expression of interest has been invited for leasing out 3.8 acres at CFH compound for development of fisheries related activities like setting up of Aquarium/ Dolphinarium, Exhibition cum sales counters of sea shell products and other mementos, seafood restaurants serving ethnic sea foods of different regions, retail fish vending market, marine business centre etc.
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