Telangana's ₹47 crore fish export hub near Hyderabad: A first for inland India
Synopsis
Telangana has broken new ground by laying the foundation for India's first freshwater fish export hub in an inland state. The ₹47 crore centre at Koheda in Rangareddy district — backed by central and state funds under PMMSY — is designed to connect Telangana's 4.20-lakh-tonne annual fish output directly to global markets, creating 5,000 jobs in the process.
Key Takeaways
Fisheries Minister Vakiti Srihari laid the foundation for a ₹47 crore freshwater fish export centre at Koheda, Rangareddy district on 10 July .
The project is funded 60% by the Centre and 40% by Telangana under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana .
It is described as India's first fish export hub in an inland state , not a coastal region.
The facility is expected to benefit around 2,000 traders and create approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs .
Telangana produced approximately 4.20 lakh tonnes of fish and 15,000 tonnes of freshwater prawns in 2025 , leading the country in freshwater fish output.
Telangana's Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Vakiti Srihari, on Friday, 10 July laid the foundation stone for a freshwater fish export centre at Koheda in Rangareddy district, near Hyderabad. The facility, estimated to cost approximately ₹47 crore, is being built under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and is billed as the first such inland freshwater fish export hub in the country.
A National First for an Inland State
Minister Srihari underscored the significance of the project, noting that it is a matter of pride for Telangana that a modern fish export centre of this scale is being established in an inland state rather than in a coastal region — a first of its kind in India. The centre is being funded with a 60 per cent contribution from the Central government and 40 per cent from the state government under the PMMSY framework.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The export centre at Koheda will be equipped with modern cold storage units, purification facilities, packaging centres, a dedicated training centre, customs clearance infrastructure, and a large wholesale market. These facilities are designed to bring the entire fish export value chain under one roof, reducing logistical friction for fishermen and traders alike.
Employment and Economic Impact
According to the minister, the hub is expected to provide business opportunities to around 2,000 traders and generate approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in areas such as loading, unloading, packaging, and transportation. The project is positioned as a rural economic driver, with the government stating its intent to connect Telangana's fisheries sector with global markets and strengthen youth employment in the region.
Telangana's Fisheries Strength
Telangana currently holds the top position in the country in freshwater fish production, according to state government figures. In 2025, the state recorded production of approximately 4.20 lakh tonnes of fish and 15,000 tonnes of freshwater prawns. The new export centre is intended to give that output direct access to domestic and international buyers, enabling fishermen to command better prices.
Dignitaries Present
The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, Fisheries Director Nikhil, Fruit Market Chairman Chiluk Madhu, and Rangareddy Fisheries Cooperative Society President Dusa Venkatesh, among others. Minister Srihari stated: 'Our goal is to provide a world market for every fish produced in Telangana. Filling the families of fishermen with economic prosperity is the resolve of our government.'
With construction now formally under way, the facility at Koheda is expected to emerge as a landmark in India's inland fisheries export infrastructure.
Point of View
Leaving inland producers at a structural disadvantage in price discovery and market access. The PMMSY co-funding model reduces fiscal risk for the state, but the real test will be whether customs clearance at an inland facility can match the turnaround times of port-adjacent hubs. With 4.20 lakh tonnes of annual production and no dedicated export channel until now, Telangana's fishermen have been selling into a buyer's market. If the Koheda centre delivers on its 5,000-jobs promise and attracts genuine international buyers, it could become a replicable model for other landlocked fish-producing states — a policy outcome worth watching.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ₹47 crore fish export centre being built near Hyderabad?
It is a freshwater fish export hub being constructed at Koheda in Rangareddy district, near Hyderabad, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. The centre will house cold storage, purification units, packaging facilities, a training centre, and customs infrastructure, and is billed as India's first such facility in an inland state.
Who is funding the Koheda fish export centre?
The project is jointly funded under PMMSY, with 60 per cent of the approximately ₹47 crore cost borne by the Central government and the remaining 40 per cent by the Telangana state government.
How many jobs will the Telangana fish export hub create?
The facility is expected to generate approximately 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities in loading, unloading, packaging, and transportation, and provide business access to around 2,000 traders.
Why is this fish export centre significant for Telangana?
Telangana is an inland state with no coastline, yet it leads the country in freshwater fish production with about 4.20 lakh tonnes in 2025. Until now, fishermen lacked direct access to international markets. The Koheda centre is designed to close that gap by providing export-grade infrastructure within the state.
Who attended the foundation-laying ceremony at Koheda?
The ceremony was attended by Fisheries Minister Vakiti Srihari, Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, Fisheries Director Nikhil, Fruit Market Chairman Chiluk Madhu, and Rangareddy Fisheries Cooperative Society President Dusa Venkatesh, among other officials.
