Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha laid the foundation stone of two fish landing centers at Boyapadu and Dondavaka coast. He said that the coalition government is continuously working for the development and welfare of fishermen and major development works have been done in the area.
Visakhapatnam: In an important step towards the development of fisheries sector in the state, the Andhra Pradesh government has laid the foundation stone of two new Fish Landing Centers at Boyapadu and Dondavaka coast of Payakaravapeta Assembly constituency. The objective of these projects is to provide modern infrastructure facilities to the fishing community, strengthen the marine fishing industry and give a new impetus to the local economy.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Roads and Buildings (R&B) Minister BC Janardhana Reddy jointly laid the foundation stone of these projects. A large number of local fishermen, public representatives and officials were present on this occasion. The government says that these projects will increase the income of thousands of fisherman families and will give new expansion to the trade of marine products.
Years old demand of fishermen community fulfilled
Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony, Home Minister Wangalapudi Anitha said that the fishermen community of Payakaravapeta area had been demanding a modern jetty and fish landing center for a long time. Now giving priority to this demand, the government has approved two important projects.
He said that out of the three fish landing centers approved for Andhra Pradesh, only Paykaravapeta assembly constituency has got two, which is a big achievement for the region. According to him, this is not just the development of infrastructure but also a major investment towards strengthening the livelihood of fishermen families.
What will be the benefits of modern fish landing center?
Fish landing centers are considered the backbone of any marine fisheries industry. Here fishermen can safely land the fish they catch from the sea, maintain their quality and there is a provision to transport them directly to the market.
The development of these centers will improve the storage, transportation and marketing of marine products. This will reduce wastage of fish, provide better prices and is likely to increase the income of local fishermen. Along with this, fish exports are also expected to get a boost.
Claim of development works worth more than ₹600 crore
Home Minister Anita, in her address, said that various development projects worth about ₹600 crore have been initiated in the Paykaraopeta assembly constituency during the last two years. These include many works related to roads, education, health, irrigation and other basic facilities.
He also informed that development works are being carried out at a cost of about ₹ 100 crore only through the Roads and Buildings Department. The government also aims to connect rural and coastal areas with modern infrastructure so as to ensure balanced development.
Priority being given to the development of fishing villages
Anita said that around 9,000 fishermen families reside in the Payakaravapeta area. The livelihood of these families mainly depends on marine fisheries. Keeping these needs in mind, the government has laid the foundation stone of development projects worth about ₹60 crore in a single day.
He said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is giving priority to the social and economic development of the fishermen community. The government is not limited to fisheries industry only but is equally focusing on education, health, housing and increasing employment opportunities.
Announcement of new schemes in education and health sector also
In his address, the Home Minister said that a new hostel for girl students has been sanctioned under the Backward Class (BC) Welfare Department for Paykaraopeta area. Apart from this, a modern multi-specialty hospital will also be established in the area, which will provide better health services to the people of rural and coastal areas.
He said that development does not only mean construction of roads and buildings, but strengthening the basic needs like education, health and social security is equally important.
After the elections, development was said to be the biggest priority.
During her address, Anita said that political competition in a democracy should be limited to elections. After the elections are over the responsibility of the government is to work equally for the development and welfare of all the citizens.
Referring to an incident, he said that some people in a village had opposed him. At that time the police suggested registering a case against him, but he refused to take action against anyone because he believes that development and social harmony should be above political differences.
Opposition accused of hindering development
Roads and Buildings Minister BC Janardhan Reddy, who was present at the program, also criticized the opposition while mentioning the government’s development plans. He said that the present government is carrying forward the development works in the state at a fast pace, whereas during the tenure of the previous government, many important projects were stalled.
He alleged that the opposition was trying to create social and political controversy instead of supporting development projects. According to him, the construction of new jetty and fish landing center will provide direct economic benefits to thousands of fishermen families.
Coastal economy will get a new base
Experts believe that the development of modern fisheries infrastructure will greatly benefit the coastal economy of Andhra Pradesh. The state is already among the major marine fish producing states of India. Availability of better landing centres, cold storage, transportation and market facilities will further strengthen the access of marine products to domestic and international markets.
Apart from this, these projects will also create new employment opportunities at the local level. Direct and indirect employment is likely to increase in many sectors ranging from construction to fish processing, transportation, packaging and trading.
Important steps towards development of fisheries sector
The proposed fish landing centers at Boyapadu and Dondavaka are not just two construction projects, but part of a broader strategy to modernize Andhra Pradesh’s marine fisheries industry. The government aims to increase the income of the fishermen community, strengthen maritime trade and ensure balanced economic development in the coastal areas.
If these projects are completed within the stipulated time frame, thousands of fishermen families of Paykaravapeta area will get the benefit of modern facilities and this area can become one of the major centers of fisheries industry of Andhra Pradesh.
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