Telangana launched India’s first inland freshwater fish export centre to boost fisheries, employment and global market access statewide.
Hyderabad
Telangana on Friday took a significant step towards strengthening its fisheries sector with the foundation stone laying ceremony for a modern freshwater fish export centre at Koheda in Rangareddy district. State Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Vakiti Srihari said the project would enhance fishermen’s incomes, generate large-scale employment and connect Telangana’s fish producers with domestic as well as international markets.
Addressing the gathering, the minister described the project as a landmark achievement, noting that Telangana would become the first inland state in the country to establish such a modern fish export centre. He said facilities of this nature are generally located in coastal regions, making the initiative a matter of pride for the state.
The export centre is being developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with financial support from both the Centre and the state government. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 47 crore, with the central government contributing 60 percent of the funding and the Telangana government providing the remaining 40 percent.
According to the minister, the facility will feature advanced infrastructure to support the complete fish export value chain. It will include modern cold storage units, fish purification facilities, packaging centres, a training centre, customs clearance facilities and a large wholesale market designed to facilitate efficient trade.
Srihari said the export centre would provide fishermen with better access to national and international markets, enabling them to secure improved prices for their produce. He expressed confidence that fish produced in Telangana would gain wider recognition across global markets, enhancing the state’s reputation in the fisheries sector.
The minister said around 2,000 traders are expected to conduct business through the new facility. In addition, nearly 5,000 people are likely to benefit from direct and indirect employment opportunities in activities such as loading, unloading, packaging, transportation, storage and other allied services.
He added that the project would serve as much more than a conventional fish market. It is expected to function as an integrated development platform linking Telangana’s fisheries industry with international trade networks while strengthening the rural economy and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people.
Highlighting the state’s achievements, Srihari said Telangana currently holds the top position in India in freshwater fish production. During 2025, the state recorded production of approximately 4.20 lakh tonnes of fish and around 15,000 tonnes of freshwater prawns, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector over recent years.
The minister thanked the central government, the state government, public representatives, government officials and fishermen’s associations for their support in implementing the prestigious project. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that every fish produced in Telangana finds access to profitable markets around the world, thereby improving the economic well-being of fishing communities.
