Port Blair, Aug 21: A new 5 MT Ice-Plant and 10 MT Cold Storage has been constructed at the Premises of Fish Landing Jetty, Junglighat, created by the Fisheries Department for the benefit of the fisher folk. The fisheries infrastructure facility was inaugurated by the Secretary (Fisheries), A&N Administration, Shri G. Sudhakar, IAS by unveiling the plaque at a brief function held at the Fish Landing Centre. Shri Vikram Singh, Director (Fisheries), Shri Y.Joga Rao, Ward Councilor, Shri U.Maheshwar Rao, Member NFDB Governing Body and Officials of APWD, fisheries and local fishermen community were present.

The 10 MT Cold Storage Unit has dual units in case of failure of one unit. Racks are provided in the cold room using the storage space more efficiently.  The 5 MT Containerized Ice Plant unit will produce 54 Ice blocks, of 50 Kg each, in 10 hours, i.e. it can produce 108 Ice Blocks per day. This project is meant for the supply of Ice and Cold storage facilities at the doorsteps of marginalized fishermen/women. The local fishermen community of Junglighat and adjoining area will be immensely benefited with the commissioning of the facility. The Department of Fisheries has so far established Ice Plants at Campbell Bay, Chunnabhatta, Mayabunder, Hut Bay & Rangat and Cold Storages at Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar, Hut Bay, Port Blair and Rangat.

The inaugural function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Zonal Fisheries Office, South Andaman, Shri Tapan Kumar Biswas.