CM lays foundation for sea food processing plant

Mangalore contributes to 1 lakh metric tonne of fish catch, out of 3.4 metric tonne of the State’s marine fish production.

More than 3,500 mechanised fishing boats operate in Karnataka coast, of which more than 50 per cent multi day deep sea fishing boats operate in Mangalore Fishing Harbour. Mangalore is a prominent fish landing centre in the State, said Chief Minister D  V Sadananda Gowda after laying the foundation stone for the modern sea food processing plant at Hoige Bazar on Saturday.

The plant of the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC), will be set up conforming to European Union Standards at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

The Rs 5 crore has been taken from the Rs 25 crore fund allotted by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to KFDC to strengthen the fish marketing activities in Karnataka.

Speaking about various developmental works, he said that the fishing port at Mangalore will be developed at a cost of Rs 55 crore, Malpe’s port will be developed at a cost of Rs 35 crore.

Karwar port will be de-silted at a cost of Rs 35 crore, before the rainy season. In Byndoor, the port will be developed with Rs 10 crore and in Gangoli, a retaining wall will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The connecting roads of the coastal region will be developed and Rs 5 crore has been allotted for this project. As many as 4 lakh young fishes will be released in reservoirs and lakes, he said.

He also assured to help the 2.5 lakh fisher families in the State with financial benefits in the upcoming budget. The modern sea food processing plant which will come up will consist of 500 tonne frozen storage, 10 tonne capacity flake ice plant, trolly freezer having a capacity of 10 tonne per day, plate freezer of 6 tonne capacity per day and 10 tonne chilled room.

Out of Rs 5 crore allotted for the plant, Rs 1.62 crore will be spent on construction of fish processing plant (Civil work), Rs 2.82 crore will be spent on procurement of plant and machinery (Refrigeration) and Rs 56 lakh will be spent for electrical work. The work of constructing the plant has been entrusted to the lowest bidder M/s ETA Engineering Company, Bangalore, for Rs 4.56 crore. The plant will be ready within a period of 9 months.

‘People making small issues big’

Responding to the confusion taking place with regard to the hate speech at Hindu Samajotsava in Uppinangady, he said that government has taken all measures to maintain law and order. There is nothing to be scared of. People are just trying to make small issues big, he said.