Gorakhpur: Yogi govt is set to transform Gorakhpur into a hub for education in pisciculture, research, production and marketing under an ambitious plan aimed at accelerating the ‘blue revolution’ in eastern UP.As part of the initiative, a state-of-the-art college, an International Fish Research Centre, a modern aqua park and a wholesale fish market are being planned to create an integrated ecosystem for the fisheries sector.A 35-acre site has been identified at Tal Nadaur for the proposed Fisheries College. According to fisheries department deputy director Brajesh Kumar, the institution will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in fisheries science, aquatic animal health management, nutrition and feed technology, and fish processing. The project report is being finalised by the public works department.The state cabinet has approved a three-year partnership with international research organisation WorldFish. Under the agreement, govt hatchery at Chhapia in Gorakhpur will be upgraded into a modern breeder hatchery and an International Fish Research Centre to promote scientific aquaculture and research, officials said.To strengthen fish marketing infrastructure, a model wholesale fish market and integrated Aqua Park were proposed at Tal Kandla. Land surveys are complete and Construction and Design Services (C&DS) has been selected as the executing agency, officials said.The facility will include cold storage units, ice plants, hygienic processing and packaging infrastructure, and modern fish-selling platforms.Officials said the project is expected to establish an organised cold-chain network serving Gorakhpur, neighbouring districts, parts of Bihar and areas along the Nepal border.Kumar said the proposed projects would together create a comprehensive model covering education, research, production and marketing, while generating employment opportunities and boosting incomes of fish farmers across the region.
