Rs 2cr infusion from Centre to Arambol, Cacra for fisheries

Panaji: Villages of Cacra and Arambol will receive Rs 2 crore each for fisheries development under a central govt scheme.

Fisheries minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Wednesday chaired a meeting with St Cruz MLA Rodolfo Fernandes and Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar to discuss the development of coastal fishing villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Under this scheme, the state will receive complete central govt funding with an allocation of Rs 2 crore per village dedicated to the development of essential fisheries infrastructure and facilities.

As a result, the money was allocated for fisheries infrastructure development in the coastal village of Arambol, supporting key initiatives like a fish market, toilet block, high mast and solar lighting, emergency rescue facilities, ice-making machine, solar fish dryer, weather station with LED display, and stock enhancement through sea ranching.

Arolkar said, “This investment will enhance safety, sustainability, and efficiency in the fishing sector.”

Fernandes said that he requested govt to repair the jetty at Odxel and have a high mast and solar shrimp dryer installed there, besides upgrading facilities at Cacra.

The Union ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, department of fisheries, New Delhi, has initiated the development of a total of 100 coastal villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages.