Centre advances fisheries infrastructure in Odisha with Integrated Aqua Park, modern wholesale fish market and affordable credit support for fishers

Key Highlights

• ₹1,301.18 crore fisheries projects approved for Odisha under PMMSY since 2020-21
• ₹484.64 crore Central share sanctioned for fisheries and aquaculture development
• ₹100 crore Integrated Aqua Park under development at Basantapur, Sambalpur
• ₹59.13 crore state-of-the-art wholesale fish market approved in Bhubaneswar
• Odisha offers interest-free Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans up to ₹1 lakh for eligible fishers through additional state interest subsidy
• Aqua Park to feature hatcheries, processing units, research facilities and effluent treatment systems

News

The Government of India is strengthening Odisha’s Blue Economy through large-scale investments in fisheries infrastructure under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with projects worth ₹1,301.18 crore approved since 2020-21.

According to the Department of Fisheries, the approved projects include a Central share of ₹484.64 crore and cover a broad range of interventions aimed at modernising the fisheries and aquaculture value chain across the state.

₹100 Crore Integrated Aqua Park Under Development

One of the flagship projects is the Integrated Aqua Park at Basantapur in Sambalpur, approved in January 2025 at a project cost of ₹100 crore.

The Odisha Government has completed several preparatory activities, including:

• Land procurement
• Appointment of the executing agency
• Construction of approach roads
• Boundary wall development

Construction is currently underway for key facilities such as:

• In-house hatchery
• Grow-out ponds
• Fish processing units
• Research and development facilities
• Effluent treatment plant

The integrated park is expected to strengthen aquaculture production, value addition and fisheries-based entrepreneurship in the region.

Modern Fish Market Planned for Bhubaneswar

The Centre has also approved the development of a state-of-the-art wholesale fish market at Pandara, Bhubaneswar, with an investment of ₹59.13 crore.

The modern facility will include:

• 44 wholesale units
• 99 retail outlets

The market has been designed with sustainability-focused infrastructure, including:

• Renewable energy-based power systems
• Rainwater harvesting facilities
• Resource-efficient operations

According to the Odisha Government, the project has completed the land reclamation stage.

Affordable Credit for Fishers

To improve access to working capital, the Centre continues to promote the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme for fishers and fish farmers.

In Odisha, the State Government is complementing the scheme by providing:

• 4% additional interest subvention for loans up to ₹1 lakh, effectively making these loans interest-free
• 2% interest subvention for loans between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh, reducing the effective interest rate to 2%

The state is also conducting awareness campaigns through Matsya O Pranee Sampad Melas and district-level fishermen meetings to encourage greater participation in the KCC programme.

The information was shared by Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Hospitality Industry Impact

The Integrated Aqua Park and modern wholesale fish market are expected to strengthen Odisha’s seafood supply chain by improving fish production, processing and distribution. Hotels, restaurants and institutional foodservice operators could benefit from greater access to fresh, hygienically processed seafood and improved cold-chain infrastructure.

The integrated processing ecosystem may also encourage the development of premium seafood products for both domestic hospitality businesses and export markets.

Travel & Tourism Impact

The investment supports Odisha’s growing coastal, culinary and eco-tourism sectors by enhancing seafood infrastructure and local food ecosystems. A modern wholesale fish market and expanded aquaculture capacity can strengthen seafood tourism experiences in Bhubaneswar and coastal destinations, while creating opportunities for seafood festivals, local cuisine promotion and fisheries-linked tourism initiatives.

Why It Matters

Odisha is emerging as a key fisheries growth hub under PMMSY, with investments spanning production, processing, marketing and affordable finance. The combination of modern aquaculture infrastructure, sustainable fish markets and easier credit access is expected to improve fishers’ incomes while strengthening seafood supply chains that support hospitality, foodservice, exports and tourism.