Chennai: The state government has proposed to expand the existing milk processing capacity at the dairies in Chennai, Salem, Vellore-Tiruvannamalai and Thanjavur.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami who made a slew of announcements under Rule 110 in the Assembly for Animal husbandry, Milk and Dairy development and Fisheries departments said it has become necessary to enhance the capacity of the state-run farms. The milk handling capacity at the Madhavaram dairy would be increased from the 3.5 lakh litres milk to 10 lakh litre by using automated machineries. This would be taken up at a cost of '100 crore.
Also, modern equipment including computerised x-ray machines would be provided at veterinary hospitals in 32 districts at a cost of ' 8.46 crore. About 93.89 lakh cows would be vaccinated at a cost of '24 crore to control the spread of foot and mouth disease in cows. About 30 veterinary hospitals across the State would get new infrastructure at a cost of Rs. 10.50 crore and veterinary centres would be upgraded as multi-specialty hospitals.
Fishing harbour to come up at Thiruvottiyur:
The state government will establish a fishing harbour at Thiruvottiyur Kuppam in the neighbouring Tiruvallur district at an outlay of Rs. 200 crore, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami informed the Assembly on Wednesday.
"The fishing harbour at Tiruvottiyur Kuppam will be set up with world class facilities to handle deep-sea fishing," Mr. Palaniswami said. Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly he said the move was part of the government's initiative to provide infrastructure to facilitate deep-sea fishing as well as to decongest the existing fishing harbour here.
The existing fishing harbour in Cuddalore would be upgraded at an estimated cost of '100 crore. Further, as part of an effort to prevent sea erosion, groynes would be constructed at Vallavinai, Marthandamthurai and Neerodi in Kanyakumari district at a cost of '116 crore. Keeping in mind that 'Thilepia' fish farming has become a profitable venture in the State, the government would establish a Thilepia fish entrepreneurs' park at the Dindigul Palar Purandhalaaru dam at a cost of ' 6.97 crore.
