22 March 2026, Mumbai
The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of “Healing Fins” – Maharashtra’s First Multispecialty Fish Clinic & Mobile Fish Care Unit was held today, at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai.
The foundation stone was laid by the Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs and Guardian Minister, Mumbai Suburban, Government of Maharashtra. The ceremony was graced by Haroon Rashid Khan, Member of Legislative Assembly, Versova Constituency; Saurabh Katiyar, District Collector, Mumbai Suburban; Sanjay Kumar Shinde; and N. P. Sahu, Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, along with other dignitaries.
The “Healing Fins” facility is being established within the ICAR-CIFE campus by the Aquatic Environment and Health Management (AEHM) Division, with financial support from the District Planning Committee, Mumbai Suburban, Government of Maharashtra. Located at Versova, the facility aims to provide comprehensive fish health services, including disease diagnosis and treatment, catering to fish farmers, shrimp farmers, aquarium owners, and ornamental fish hobbyists. The initiative adopts a four-tier approach encompassing clinical services, mobile outreach, advanced diagnostics, and telehealth services to ensure holistic fish health management. A Mobile Fish Care Unit has also been integrated to deliver on-site services, enabling timely treatment and technical advisory support at farm and field levels.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. N. P. Sahu, who highlighted the significance of the initiative. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Megha K. Bedekar, Principal Scientist, Head of AEHM Division, and Principal Investigator of the project, who elaborated on the concept, infrastructure, and operational framework of the clinic and mobile unit. During the programme, Shri Haroon Rashid Khan underscored the importance of establishing such a facility in a metropolitan region and its potential benefits to stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
The dignitaries also visited key facilities of ICAR-CIFE, including the Aquatic Biodiversity Museum and Aquarium, and appreciated the institute’s contributions to fisheries education, research, and extension. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Aishwarya Ranadive, Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries, Mumbai Suburban.
The event witnessed the participation of more than 250 attendees, including Heads of Divisions, scientists, students, representatives of fishermen societies, and staff of the Mumbai Suburban Committee.
(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai)
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