Agartala, May 18, 2025: In a significant step toward making the Northeast region self-reliant in fish production, Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) announced the sanctioning of four Integrated Aquaparks in the region, including one in Tripura's Unakoti district headquarters, Kailashahar. The announcement was made during a virtual foundation stone laying ceremony for the Aquapark and the inauguration of Tripura's Fish Festival.
Alongside the Tripura project, the other three Aquaparks will be set up in Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. These developments are part of 11 Integrated Aquaparks sanctioned across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Highlighting the immense potential of fish consumption and production in the Northeast, Minister Singh reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to supporting Tripura in achieving self-sufficiency not just in fish production but also in milk production. He emphasized the government’s vision of a self-reliant Northeast through infrastructure and livelihood development.
Tripura's ARD and Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das shared that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 42.5 crore for the first phase of the Aquapark project at Kailashahar. The project, estimated to cost Rs 100 crore in total, is expected to produce 3,000 to 5,000 metric tonnes of fish annually and will include processing, storage, and marketing infrastructure.
Currently, Tripura produces around 85,000 MT of fish against an annual requirement of 1.17 lakh MT, which leads to reliance on imports from other states and neighbouring Bangladesh. The Kailashahar Aquapark is expected to bridge this gap significantly while creating new job opportunities locally.
Designed on a hub-and-spoke model, the Aquapark will feature hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage units, training centres, and marketing support facilities, providing a comprehensive ecosystem to enhance the fisheries sector. The initiative is expected to empower women and youth, contributing to rural development.
Union Minister of State George Kurian, Tripura's Social Welfare Minister Tinku Roy, and other dignitaries attended the virtual event. Beneficiaries received Kisan Credit Cards and sanction orders. Top-performing cooperatives, FFPOs, and startups were also felicitated for their notable contributions to the fisheries sector
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