MODERNISATION AND UPGRADATION OF COCHIN FISHERIES HARBOUR INCLUDING PROVIDING EQUIPMENTS AND DREDGING WORK
The Cochin Fisheries Harbour was established in 1978 by Cochin Port Trust (CPT) at Thoppumpady, Cochin and is administered by Cochin Fisheries Harbour (CFH), a unit under CoPA (erstwhile CPT). The total area of the harbour premises is 27.86 acres, out of which 15.63 acres has been used for industrial development. This area has been leased out to private players, primarily for fishing related activities. Approximately 7 acres of the harbour is utilised for handling berthing and landing of several fishing vessels with a wharf length of 336 meter.
The present project is for modernisation of Cochin Fisheries Harbour costing Rs. 113.33 crores which comprises, (a) Cost of construction of civil & electrical works- Rs.101.02 crores, (b) Cost of machinery and equipment- Rs. 6.31 crores and (c) Cost of dredging – Rs. 6 crores.
First stage of the project includes four air conditioned Auction Halls & one fish dressing unit and other ancillary units. Internal roads, Loading and unloading platforms, Waste management area, Canteen facilities, Drivers’ waiting area, Dredging work, Machineries and equipments etc. are also proposed in the first stage.
Project Capacity: 4 Nos. of 60mx18m temperature controlled Auction Halls with mechanical retrieval and conveyance of 415 tonnes of Fish per day capacity are proposed.
On completion of the project, it is envisaged that earning from export of fish and fish products will be in the range of Rs. 1500 crores per annum. In addition, it is expected that there will be substantial improvement in the hygienic conditions, which in turn would ensure continued and increased employment of fishermen and allied workers.
The implementation of the project needs to be done in a phased manner so as not to affect the harbour operations as some relocation of existing service providers will also be required.
In the 7th meeting of the Central Apex Committee (CAC) of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF) on 24/02/2022, approval for the project was given for total project cost of Rs.169.17 Crores. The Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways has also given approval for the project of “Upgradation & Modernisation of Cochin Fisheries Harbour at Thoppumpady” costing Rs.101.02 crores on 11/03/2022.
The project is funded through Grants from Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Scheme under Dept. of Fisheries (Rs.50 Crores) and Sagarmala Project scheme of MoPS&W (Rs.50 Crores).
EPC Contract for the work was awarded to M/s. RDS Project Ltd., Kochi on 24/08/2022 for Rs.112.75 Crore including 18% GST.
