Union Minister lays ₹42.4 Cr Integrated Aquapark in Tripura . says State to Be Developed as Organic Fish Cluster
Foundation Stone was laid for an Integrated Aquapark under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), worth ₹42.4 crores in Kailashahar, Tripura by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj in an event held in Agartala, Tripura today. In addition, the event featured an exhibition and inauguration of the Fish Festival highlighting the rich culture and diverse fishes of the state.
The event was also graced by George Kurian, Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs along with Sudhangshu Das, Minister of Fisheries, Govt. of Tripura and Tinku Roy, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Tripura.
#Live: Addressing the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Integrated Aquapark & Fish Festival Inauguration. https://t.co/Q0PaOu8CMf
— Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh (@LalanSingh_1) May 18, 2025
In his address, the Union Minister shed light on the vital role, the sector plays in boosting India’s economy, noting that the fisheries sector has exhibited growth at 9.08% since 2014-15, highest amongst Agri and Allied sectors, in India. Recognising the vast potential that Tripura has in the fisheries sector, he stressed upon the need to bridge the gap between demand and supply through use of modern technology, integrated farming and innovation. Shri Rajiv Ranjan highlighted that out of 11 Integrated Aqua Parks in the country, 4 are being set up in the Northeast region, including one in Tripura. The Union Minister urged the stakeholders to work diligently towards transforming Tripura into a “fish surplus state” capable of exporting fish, and to strive for a production target of 2 lakh tonnes, significantly exceeding the state’s requirement of 1.5 lakh tonnes. He stated that soon Tripura would also be developed into an Organic Fish Cluster like Sikkim. While laying emphasis on the need to complete the Integrated Aquapark in a time bound manner, the Union Minister emphasized upon the importance of imparting institutional training to fish farmers. Encouraging fishers to utilize government schemes like Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastucture Development Fund (FIDF) and PMMSY, he reiterated the central government’s commitment towards supporting training and capacity building through NFDB. Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh also addressed issues like need to boost scampi production, develop ornamental fisheries, improve infrastructure, ensure easier market access and promote innovation and sustainability in the sector. On this occasion, the Union Minister distributed certificates and sanction orders to various beneficiaries.
Laid the foundation stone of the Integrated Aquapark, inaugurated the Fish Festival, and addressed the dignitaries at Rabindra Bhavan, Agartala, Tripura. Our continued effort to strengthen the fisheries sector, open new avenues for sustainable livelihood in the region, and enable… pic.twitter.com/h077hhWO1y
— Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh (@LalanSingh_1) May 18, 2025
George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Minority Affairs, emphasized the need to enhance fish productivity in Tripura, noting that nearly 98% of the state’s population consumes fish. He acknowledged the significant role fisheries plays in the state’s food security and economy.
Sudhangshu Das, Minister of Fisheries, ARDD and SC Welfare, Government of Tripura, emphasized the state’s commitment to uplifting fishers and fish farmers through targeted interventions. The Minister also shared that under the Matsya Sahayata Yojana, identified fishers and fish farmers are receiving annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 to support their livelihood. Encouraging the youth to take up fisheries as a viable means of employment, he noted that Tripura holds significant untapped potential in the sector. While Tinku Roy, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Govt. of Tripura further encouraged continued collaboration and collective action to uplift the fisheries sector and enhance livelihoods of fishers in Tripura.
|Also Read :Tripura to Get Rs. 42.4 Cr Integrated Aquapark at Kailashahar |
Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, MoFAH&D, highlighted the Department’s key schemes and initiatives, including PMMSY, FIDF, and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY), with a combined investment outlay of approximately ₹38,000 crores. It was noted that projects worth ₹2,114 crores have been approved for the Northeastern region, including ₹319 crore specifically for Tripura. Shri Likhi urged fishers and fish farmers to embrace modern technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc, and drone-based applications, while fully leveraging advancements in research and development. Emphasizing the significance of livelihood security, he also highlighted the advantages of providing insurance coverage for fishers. Additionally, special emphasis was placed on species diversification, particularly the promotion of high-value indigenous species like Pabda and Singhi.
The event was also attended by Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, Dr Bijay Kumar Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB along with other senior officials from the centre and state fisheries department.
Current Status of Fisheries in Tripura
Tripura, with its high fish consumption rate of over 29 kg per capita per year, has made significant progress in recent years. Under PMMSY, the state has received an investment of Rs. 178 crore. Over the last five years, Tripura has implemented 69 approved projects with a cumulative value of Rs. 258.61 crores in the sector. The Integrated Aqua Park in Kailashahar alone accounts for an investment of Rs. 42.4 crores and is expected to serve as a backbone for modern fish production and marketing infrastructure, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders across the aquaculture ecosystem. It is expected to generate direct employment for about 100 people and indirect employment for over 500 people in the state
Beneficiaries Awarded during the Event
Certificates and sanction orders were distributed to various fisheries beneficiaries at today’s event by the Union Minister. List of beneficiaries awarded include the following, the Kisan Credit Cards were awarded to Mr. Debasish Sarkar from Mohanpur RD Block, West Tripura; Mr. Bhajan Sarkar from Bamutia RD Block, West Tripura; Ms. Paramita Biswas Bhowmik from Satchand RD Block, South Tripura; Mr. Sudharshan Chakraborty from Dukli RD Block, West Tripura; and Mr. Nirmal Das from Dukli RD Block, West Tripura. Additionally, top-performing fisheries start-ups including M/s Barkuchuk Fermented Fish Enterprise, Khowai, and M/s Jal Raja Fish Feed Factory, Dukli Industrial Area, West Tripura, were felicitated for their contributions. Among the Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), Bordosh FFPO from Rajnagar, Belonia, South Tripura, and Dhalai Fish Farmer Co-operative Society Ltd., Ambassa, Dhalai Tripura, were recognized for their outstanding performance in the sector. Furthermore, the best-performing fisheries cooperative societies—Melaghar Matshyajibi Samabay Samiti Ltd., Sepahijala Tripura, and Jatiya Matshyajibi Samabay Samiti Ltd., Kusamara, Kakraban, Gomati—were also felicitated for their exemplary efforts in strengthening the fisheries sector in the state. Beneficiaries under PMMSY including Mr Tapan Barman, Sepahijala , Tripura, Mr Paritosh Debbarma, Jirania RD Block West Tripura, Mr Ms Biswajit Das, Jirania RD Block, West Tripura, Anjali Rani Das, Sepahijala, Tripura were awarded with Finfish hatchery,3-wheeler with ice box and Fish Kiosk.
