Odisha Cabinet Approves ₹133.81 Crore Astaranga Fishing Harbour Expansion Project
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has approved the financial bid for the construction of Stage-II of the Astaranga Fishing Harbour at Nuagarh in Puri district, marking a significant boost to the state’s fisheries infrastructure and Blue Economy ambitions.
The project has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹133.81 crore (excluding GST) and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
According to the proposal, the harbour expansion will transform Astaranga into a modern fishing hub capable of supporting large-scale marine fishing activities.
The project will be developed under the technical supervision of IIT Madras, which has been appointed as the Project Management Consultant (PMC).
The upgraded facility will include modern infrastructure such as landing and berthing facilities, an auction hall, net-mending and gear sheds, a market complex, a slipway, boat repair facilities, and uninterrupted water and power supply systems.
Once completed, the harbour will be capable of accommodating nearly 1,960 mechanised fishing vessels and handling an estimated 55,876 metric tonnes of fish annually.
The annual value of fish landings is projected to reach ₹496.36 crore, creating substantial economic opportunities for coastal communities.
The government expects around 35,000 fishermen and stakeholders associated with the fisheries sector to benefit directly or indirectly from the project.
The improved infrastructure is anticipated to reduce post-harvest fish losses from approximately 20 per cent to 7 per cent, ensuring better income realisation for fishermen and improved quality of fish supplied to markets.
Apart from strengthening the fisheries sector, the harbour will also serve as a safe shelter for fishing vessels during cyclones and severe weather conditions.
It is expected to support operations of the Coast Guard and Marine Police, thereby contributing to maritime safety and coastal security.
The project aligns with Odisha’s Deep Sea Fishing Mission and the state’s Vision 2036-47 roadmap, aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries, employment generation, and export-oriented growth in the marine sector.
