Chandauli is all set to have a first-of-its-kind state-of-the-art integrated fish marketing centre (IFMT) in the country.
“Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who during his review of different development projects of Varanasi had underlined the need to improve fish export from Varanasi region to other states, the plan for establishing IFMT at Chandauli was finalised. It will be the first centre of its kind in the country,” said divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal.

Deputy director fisheries (Varanasi division) NS Rehmani said, “The state government gave nod to the IFMT project on March 30, after which the process of floating a tender has been started. The UP Agriculture Produce Market Committee, commonly known as Mandi Parishad, has allotted one hectare land on its campus near Chandauli district headquarters free of cost while Rs 70 crore will be spent for constructing IFMT.” “APMC’s construction wing will implement the project and will also look after the post construction maintenance with the help of user charges from traders,” he added.
“Apart from wholesale and retail fish market as well as aquarium fish trading wing, the proposed IFMT will have all facilities for fish farmers including technical assistance,” said Rehmani.

Rehmani added that an aqua food restaurant, which will be a star attraction for fish lovers of the region and for those travelling on the highway, would also ensure regular availability of sea food to popularize it in inland states. According to Rehmani, UP is the largest fish producer among freshwater fisheries states.

Similarly, eastern UP’s Varanasi division is the hub of reservoir and pond fisheries producing 2.5 lakh metric ton (LMT) of fishes which are being exported to West Bengal, Bihar, North Eastern state of India and Nepal. Despite these facts, the fish trade is scattered around Mughalsarai and Varanasi and lacks adequate infrastructure support, causing substantial loss in fish produce before it reaches the end consumer. “In view of these realities, IFMT, of a true global standard, was planned and APMC premises of Chandauli was selected to establish it,” Agrawal said.

“This site is located along Delhi-Kolkata highway and 16 km from Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (Mughalsarai) Railway station while distance from LBS International airport, which already has 5 metric ton cold house for perishable cargo, is 55 km. World class perishable cargo of Varanasi is just 40 km, which can be used for bulk storage of aqua products,” added Agrawal, mentioning the site as suitable for interstate export.

Estimated trading of 50,000 metric ton to 75,000 metric ton of fish is expected once IFMT is fully operational, said the officials adding by reducing transitional losses the project will be able to save 2,500 metric ton fish worth Rs 25 crore every year. “It will also help to check distress sale and will provide better prices to the growers and thus help in achieving the doubling of farmers’ income. Time, energy and money of farmers will also be saved in arranging different inputs from different places, since all physical and technical inputs will be made available under one roof,” added Rehmani.