KFDC to have six new ice plants in coastal districts

To produce 220 tonnes ice for fisher folk by October

The work has already commenced and the ice plants are likely to be ready by October.
Speaking to Deccan Herald,  KFDC Managing Director V K Shetty said that the KFDC is undertaking the work on new ice plants through the funds released under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

New ice plants are getting ready at Mangalore, Bhatkal, Karwar and Honnavar. The ice plant at Malpe will be renovated by the KFDC. A sum of Rs 5.32 crore will be utilised for the setting up of ice plants in the coastal districts.

He said “we have already set up an ice plant at Gangolli with a capacity to produce 30 tonne ice a day. The production of ice on experimental basis has already commenced and will start the production within three months.”

He said a 40 tonne capacity ice plant is under construction at Mangalore Old Port region at the cost of Rs 1.20 crore. Mangalore already has two ice plants with a capacity to produce 60 tonnes ice daily. The new unit in Mangalore will be ready within four months.

The work on Honnavar ice plant is under progress. Twice plants with a capacity to produce 10 tonne ice each is being constructed at the cost of Rs 1.20 crore. It is likely to be ready by August end.

In Bhatkal, 10 tonne capacity ice plant is being constructed at the cost of Rs 80 lakh. In Karwar, two ice plants with a capacity to produce 10 tonne ice each daily is under construction.

Shetty said Malpe has a ice plant with a capacity to produce 20 tonne ice daily.
Another 20 tonne capacity ice plant will be renovated by the KFDC with the financial assistance from the state government.

With its renovation, ice plants in Malpe will produce 40 tonne ice daily.
KFDC Chairman Nithin Kumar said “we have target to produce 220 tonne ice by the end of the year. Once the ice plants are ready, then fishermen will get 100 kg ice block at Rs 75.”