Minister inaugurates fish market

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian inaugurated a new fish market in Patiala (Ghalori) today. The market was built at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore. The minister was joined by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat.

Minister Khudian said the wholesale fish market would not only encourage the fisheries industry but also create new income opportunities for local fish vendors. Khudian, who also holds the portfolios of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Food Processing, stated during the inauguration on Devigarh Road that out of the total cost of Rs 4.12 crore, Rs 2.12 crore was funded by the Punjab Mandi Board, while Rs 2 crore came from the Fisheries Department.

The fish market is spread over five acres, with one acre developed as a market area, and plans are in place to expand the remaining four acres for a retail fish market. The market currently has 20 shops—10 operational and the rest up for auction. Once fully functional, the retail market will also commence operations. The facility includes an overhead water tank, sewage treatment plant, toilet blocks, office blocks, parking, and well-maintained roads.

Khudian congratulated everyone on World Fisheries Day (celebrated on November 21) and noted that Punjab currently had 44,000 hectares under fish farming, which would be further increased.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh emphasised the importance of adopting auxiliary occupations like fish farming alongside traditional agriculture to boost the state’s prosperity. Using examples from areas like Binjal, he suggested fish farming as an option for regions where water logging affected crop yield.

Mandi board chairman discussed development initiatives under the board, stating that despite the Central Government’s cuts to rural development funds, the Punjab Government was investing in market and infrastructure improvements. Over Rs 2,500 crore would be spent on roads and market sheds across the state, he said, adding that steps were being taken to increase market revenues, including installing unipoles and ATM facilities in around 200 mandis.