Parliament Question: Fisheries Ice Plants

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2762 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10th MARCH, 2026 Fisheries Ice Plants 2762. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any proposals to establish container-type ice plants in Chetlat, Kiltan and Bitra Islands of Lakshadweep to support the local fishing community. (b) if so, the current status of these proposals, including administrative approvals, site selection, estimated cost and timelines for completion; (c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure adequate power supply, maintenance, and operational support for these ice plants; (d) whether the Government has assessed the impact of such plants on fish preservation, income generation and livelihoods of fishermen, if so, the details thereof; and (e) the f unds allocated, released and utilized by the Government for establishing these facilities in the islands? ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMA L HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (e): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has approved the proposal of the U.T. Administration of Lakshadweep under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at a total cost of ₹62.43 crore, with a central share of ₹44.20 crore, for implementation of multiple fisheries-related activities including four ice-plant units. The U.T. Administration has informed that no proposal exists for containerised ice plants in Chetlat, Kiltan, or Bitra. A 5 tones/per day block ice plant is already operational at Bitra. Additionally, 5 tones/per day Direct Expansion (DX) block ice plants for Chetlat and Kiltan have been sanctioned under PMMSY, each with an allocation of ₹68.44 lakh, and tenders for procurement have been issued. Power supply for these facilities is ensured through the Union Territory’s diesel-based generation system, while options for integrating renewable energy, including solar power, are being actively explored. While no standalone government study has been conducted on the specific impact of ice plants on fish preservation or fishermen’s livelihoods, broader sectoral improvements under PMMSY indicate positive outcomes. Fish production in Lakshadweep has increased from about 500 tonnes in the 1960s to around 20,000 tonnes annually in the recent years. These trends indicate that improvements in preservation and processing infrastructure have enhanced product quality, contributing to higher incomes and expanded employment opportunities for fisher communities. ** **