Kasaragod: The Coastal Development Corporation’s plan to set up nine modern coastal fishing villages in the state has been approved. The project, at a cost of Rs 61.06 crore, is being implemented with funds from the central and state government under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Of this, Rs 31.19 crore will be borne by the central government while Rs 29.87 crore by the state government. 

The villages are being set up at Shiria (Kasaragod), Chalil Gopalapetta (Kannur), Chaliyam (kozhikode), Ponnani, Tanur (Malappuram), Edakkazhiyoor (Thrissur), Nayarambalam, Chellanam (Ernakulam) and Arattupuzha (Alappuzha). 

Two wholesale fish centres have also been approved in the state. Rs 103.41 crore is the expected cost of this of which Rs 58.94 crore is the central share and Rs 44.46 crore is the state share. The centres will be set up at Kozhikode and Aluva at a cost of Rs 164.47 crore.