Shillong May 18: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, today said four aqua parks are being set up in the Northeast out of 11 in the country.
The Minister today laid the foundation stone for an Integrated Aqua Park in Kailashahar, Tripura, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The project, valued at ₹42.4 crores, is part of the Centre’s push to enhance fish production and infrastructure in the region. The ceremony took place in Agartala and was accompanied by a vibrant Fish Festival and exhibition celebrating Tripura’s aquatic biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Singh highlighted the fisheries sector’s key role in India’s agricultural economy, noting its 9.08% growth rate since 2014–15—the highest among agri-allied sectors. Emphasizing Tripura’s potential, he called for efforts to transform the state into a “fish surplus state” with a production target of 2 lakh tonnes, surpassing its current demand of 1.5 lakh tonnes.
“Out of the 11 Integrated Aqua Parks approved across India, four are being set up in the Northeast. Tripura will soon emerge as an Organic Fish Cluster similar to Sikkim,” Singh said.
He also stressed on time-bound completion of the park, institutional training for fish farmers, and the importance of schemes like PMMSY and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
The Union Minister distributed certificates and sanction orders to multiple beneficiaries and urged stakeholders to explore innovations such as ornamental fisheries, scampi production, and sustainable aquaculture practices.
Minister of State George Kurian underscored that nearly 98% of Tripura’s population consumes fish, underlining the sector’s role in food security. State Minister Sudhangshu Das shared that under the Matsya Sahayata Yojana, eligible fishers receive ₹6,000 annually, and encouraged youth to explore fisheries as a livelihood. Minister Tinku Roy reiterated the need for collective efforts to uplift the sector.
Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, outlined a combined investment of ₹38,000 crores across key fisheries schemes, with ₹319 crores earmarked for Tripura alone. He urged farmers to adopt modern technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc, and drone applications. He also stressed species diversification, particularly promoting high-value indigenous fish like Pabda and Singhi.
Tripura, with a high per capita fish consumption of over 29 kg annually, has shown significant momentum in fisheries development. Under PMMSY, the state has attracted investments worth ₹178 crores. Over the past five years, Tripura has executed 69 projects totalling ₹258.61 crores. The new Integrated Aqua Park at Kailashahar is expected to serve as a hub for modern aquaculture, generating direct employment for around 100 individuals and indirect opportunities for over 500 more.
