Chilika Fresh outlets in Bhubaneswar soon

The Odisha state government has decided to set up two ‘Chilika Fresh’ outlets in Bhubaneswar where Fish, shrimps, prawns and crabs of Chilika will be available soon.

To start with, the state government will open two outlets in the city, one each at OUAT square and Chandrasekharpur. These outlets will exclusively sell the ‘lake fresh’ products.

Official sources said, the move aims at to provide a proper market to the fishermen of Chilika, who will get legitimate price for their catch and secure their livelihood, while people of the city can get fresh products at a reasonable price.

“The basic objective of the outlet is to make available fresh catch to consumers in Bhubaneswar at a reasonable price,” said an official adding this will also eliminate the intermediaries from the supply chain.

According to an assessment, more than 317 varieties of fish, 28 types of prawns and shrimps, 35 Brachyuran crabs of which 12 edible species and two spiny lobsters are available in Chilika.

If everything goes as planned, the government will open more outlets in other cities including Cuttack, Rourkela and Berhampur.

In 2011, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) had taken an initiative and opened an outlet at Badagada to sell lake-fresh fish and shrimp in the city in association with the Chilika Fisheries Central Cooperative Society, but it was closed down after a few months.