Bhubaneswar, Julu 21: Over the last twelve years, from 2014‑15 onwards, under the Blue Revolution (BR) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Central Government has approved Odisha Government’s proposals amounting to a total project cost of Rs 1,567.96 crore.

This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in the Lok Sabha.

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) is implementing a range of schemes and programmes for the holistic development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector across the country, including Balasore District of Odisha based on the proposal and recommendations received from the State Governments.

“Over the last twelve years, from 2014‑15 onwards, under the Blue Revolution (BR) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the DoF has approved proposals of the Government of Odisha amounting to a total project cost of Rs 1,567.96 crore, with a Central share of Rs 549.58 crore, for fisheries and aquaculture development in the State, including Balasore district,” said the Union Minister.

“Further, under the Fisheries and Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), 13 projects with a total cost of Rs 784.32 crore and a restricted interest subvention of Rs 286.39 crore have been approved for Odisha. Of these, two projects costing Rs 8.26 crore have been sanctioned for implementation in Balasore District. The Government of Odisha has also informed that the Mukhyamantri Matsyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY) is being implemented by the State Government for the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector across Odisha, including Balasore district,” he informed the House.

The major activities undertaken in Balasore district under the Blue Revolution (BR) and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during 2014‑15 to 2025‑26 include the development of the Chandipur Fishing Harbour at a cost of Rs 49.94 crore; establishment of a State‑of‑the‑Art Wholesale Fish Market at Basta at a cost of Rs 78.20 crore; development of five Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV); installation of six cold storage/ice plant units; implementation of sea cage culture demonstration of Indian pompano at Bahabalpur coast at a cost of Rs 2.57 crore; bringing 107 hectares of brackish‑water area under aquaculture; and establishment of three finfish hatcheries and one scampi hatchery. Additionally, Balasore has been declared the Production and Processing Cluster of Scampi, the Minister said.

“As reported by the Government of Odisha, a total allocation of Rs 250.71 crore has been made for Balasore district since 2014‑15 under various fisheries development schemes, of which Rs 214.45 crore (86%) has been utilized. Year‑wise details of activities implemented, funds allocated, and utilization under different schemes for the development of fisheries and aquaculture in Balasore district,” the Minister added.