Patiala gets wholesale new Fish market; it will boost the fisheries sector: Gurmeet Singh Khudian
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ November 20,2024
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, inaugurated a new fish market in Patiala, Ghalori Gate today, built at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crore. He was joined by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Sanour MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat. Minister Khudian highlighted that this wholesale fish market will not only encourage the fisheries industry but also create new income opportunities for local fish vendors.
Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who also holds the portfolios of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Food Processing, stated during the inauguration on Devigarh Road that out of the total project cost of Rs. 4.12 crore, Rs. 2.12 crore was funded by the Punjab Mandi Board, while Rs. 2 crore came from the Fisheries Department.
The fish market spans 5 acres, with 1 acre developed as a market area, and plans are in place to expand the remaining 4 acres for a retail fish market. The market currently has 20 shops, with 10 operational and the rest up for auction. Once fully functional, the retail market will also commence operations. The facility includes an overhead water tank, sewage treatment plant, toilet blocks, office block, parking, and well-maintained roads. Minister Khudian congratulated everyone on World Fisheries Day (celebrated on November 21) and noted that Punjab currently has 44,000 hectares under fish farming, which will be further increased.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized the importance of adopting auxiliary occupations like fish farming alongside traditional agriculture to boost the state’s prosperity. Using examples from areas like Binjal, he suggested fish farming as a viable option for regions where water logging affects crop yields.
Sanour MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra thanked Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and said the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is completing long-pending development projects. He also highlighted efforts to provide employment opportunities for the youth in Sanour constituency.
Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat discussed development initiatives under the Board, stating that despite central government cuts to rural development funds, the Punjab government is investing in market and infrastructure improvements. Over Rs. 2,500 crore will be spent on roads and market sheds across the state. He added that steps are being taken to increase market revenues, including installing unipoles and ATM facilities in around 200 mandis.
Patiala gets wholesale new Fish market; it will boost the fisheries sector: Gurmeet Singh Khudian. On the occasion Punjab Mandi Board Secretary Ramveer Singh, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav, SP Harwant Kaur, Chief Engineer of South Mandi Board Gurvinder Singh Cheema, Fisheries Director Jasvir Singh, SDM Manjit Kaur, Assistant Directors of Fisheries Department Karamjit Singh and Satinder Kaur, Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Jaswinder Singh were present.
