Sullia fish vendors get e-vehicles with cold storage facility

Mangaluru: Minister of fisheries, ports and inland water transport S Angara launched ‘Matsyavahini’, e-vehicles with cold storage facility and solar panels for door-to-door delivery of fresh fish, in Sullia on Sunday.
The minister said that it is probably a first-of-its-kind initiative introduced by the department, and that these electric three-wheelers are being provided to the vendors under the ‘Fresh fish to home’ programme of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
“Fisheries has been identified as a priority sector in Karnataka, considering the economic aspect. The government aims to double the income of fishermen in Karnataka. While the fish production in the nation is 147 lakh tonnes, the contribution of the state is 7.5%. In 2021-22, the production in the state was 11 lakh tonnes and there is an average increase of 11.5% every year. At present, there is a gap between the production and supply. The state has set a target of 20 lakh tonnes of fish production, by increasing capacity. More emphasis will be given for the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and thereby more focus will be given to the fisheries sector. Accordingly, the fisheries department has introduced ‘Matsyavahini’, eco-friendly mobile fish kiosks,” the minister said, adding that in the first phase, 300 electric vehicles equipped with refrigerators, solar panels and showcase will be distributed to vendors.
“Each vehicle will have the capacity to carry up to 500 kg of fish, and it would require three persons to operate it. The initiative will also provide employment opportunities. The Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) will be the implementing agency of the project. Fishermen will be getting the maximum price, since fish will be supplied to vendors directly, and consumers will be benefited as they will be able to buy fresh fish,” the minister added.
KFDC chairman AV Theertharama, fisheries department director Ramacharya Puranik and joint director Harish Kumar, among others, were present.