PIB Summary- 11th June, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Cochin Fisheries Harbour

Context
The foundation stone of modernisation and upgradation works of Cochin Fishing Harbour was laid at Thoppumpady, Kerala.

Details

• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Purshottam Rupala laid the foundation stone of Modernisation and Upgradation Works of Cochin Fishing Harbour at Thoppumpady, Kerala.
• The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 169.17 cr and will be completed by 2024. The project will be funded through grants from PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana)- Rs 50 cr. under the Department of Fisheries, Sagarmala Project Scheme of MoPSW – Rs 50 cr. and through investment of Public-Private Partnership Operator – Rs 55.84 cr.
• It is envisioned that the export of fish and fish products will be Rs 1500 cr per annum on the completion of the project. The development of Cochin Fisheries harbour will support the fishermen and will boost the economy.
• Established in 1978 on 27.86 acres of land owned by Cochin Port Trust, the Cochin Harbour has a wharf length of 350 metres and more than 700 fishing vessels, including trawlers, gillnet boats and purse seine boats, operate from here. The harbour witnesses brisk activity for ten months a year, with the peak season falling between August and November. The harbour receives around 250 tonnes of fish on average daily. The catch includes shrimp, cuttlefish, carangids, ribbon fish, seer fish, tuna and marlins. 
• The construction will be completed in phases so that it will not affect the harbour’s operations. In its first phase, 3 AC Auction Halls, 1 non-AC Hall, 1 fish dressing unit and other ancillary units will be constructed. The facilities under this project includes -loading, unloading platforms, waste management area, canteen, driver’s waiting area etc. 
• The flagship Sagarmala Project of MoPSW is the leading Maritime development of the  country with 802 projects worth Rs 5.5 lakh cr. targeted to be executed by 2035. Under the Sagarmala project, nine fishing harbour projects worth Rs 620 cr have been completed. Also, modernisation of 5 fishing harbours have been done at a cost of Rs 550 cr (approx.).
• The GoI has approved projects worth over Rs 7500 cr for the development of modern fishing harbours  and fish landing centres under Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Sagarmala Scheme and PMMSY.

Shelad to Nandura Section of NH -53

Context
Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Shelad to Nandura project worth Rs 816 cr. on NH – 53.

Details

• The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Shelad to Nandura section on Amravati-Chikhali National Highway-53 at Khamgaon, Buldhana Maharashtra.
• NH-53 forms an important trade link between Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha states of the country. The highway has good connectivity for Raipur-Nagpur-Surat or East-West corridor.
• The total length of the quadrangle project of Shelad-Nandura division is 45 km and includes a 14 km greenfield bypass.
• Under the Central Government’s Amrit Sarovar scheme of opening the ponds under the highway project, Jalkumbhachi has been constructed, this has helped in removing the problem of water-drainage in hot and dry areas like Khamgaon.
  • With a view to conserve water for the future, an initiative named Mission Amrit Sarovar on 24th April 2022. The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.