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Centre approves Rs 199.24 crore smart & integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder in Andaman & Nicobar
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Monday, 02 February, 2026, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has approved the development of a smart and integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with an outlay of Rs 199.24 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The project, fully funded by the Centre, aims to bolster fisheries infrastructure in the strategically located island territory and is aligned with the government’s Blue Port initiative to modernise fishing facilities. The proposed harbour will feature safe landing and berthing areas for fishing vessels, IoT-enabled systems for improved operations, enhanced fish-handling capacity, energy-efficient infrastructure and digital traceability mechanisms.
According to official sources, the integrated facility will cater to around 430 fishing vessels and is expected to support an annual fish landing of approximately 9,900 tonnes, creating opportunities across the fisheries value chain while strengthening livelihoods of local fishers. The project is also designed to contribute to efforts against Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, and advance India’s commitment to environmentally sustainable fisheries.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 6 lakh sq km and significant tuna resources, including Yellowfin and Skipjack species, are seen as pivotal to expanding the country’s marine fisheries footprint. Officials said the approval complements earlier efforts to attract investment in high-value fisheries and aquaculture, including a dedicated investors’ meet held in November 2024 that showcased opportunities in tuna fishing technologies, seaweed and allied sectors.
The move underscores the government’s broader strategy to enhance production, value chains and export potential in the fisheries sector. Recent data shows that fish production in India has more than doubled over the last decade, while seafood exports have grown significantly, reinforcing the sector’s role in rural employment and export growth.
The new harbour at Mayabunder is expected to catalyse further investment and help the fisheries sector move towards the government’s target of achieving a Rs 1-lakh-crore seafood export economy by 2030-31.
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