mangalore today

Fishing harbour at Kulai gets agriculture ministry nod


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 14, 2017 : Union agriculture ministry has given the green signal for construction of all-weather fishing harbor at Kulai. The project that will be executed at a cost of Rs 199.46 crore will see New Mangalore Port Trust pitch in with 45% of project cost, shipping and agriculture ministries with 33% and 17% respectively and state government 5%. New Mangalore Port, the nodal agency has initiated the tender process and this is likely to be finalized in a month or two.

 

harbour 14


Ramachander Baikampady, fisherman leader and liaison with the stakeholders said the project has been demand of fisherman families displaced in the mid 1960s when Mangalore Harbour Project was initiated for construction of New Mangalore Port. The fishing harbour has proved to be a mirage for fishermen for more than 50-years, who have been repeatedly exerting pressure on union ministers Radha Mohan Singh and Nitin Gadkari to release funds for the same.


Describing the green signal as the result on intense efforts over the last two-years, he said P C Parida, chairman, NMPT conveyed ministry’s decision to fishermen before demitting office on superannuation, recently. Thanking the respective governments for meeting their longstanding demand, Ramachander said harbor on completion will house 600 traditional fishing boats and 450 mechanised boats that are presently dependent on the congested harbour at Bunder.


The harbor will also provide as a base for fishermen who operate from Mulki to Boloor. Noting that these fishermen are presently dependent on harbours at Malpe or Bunder for their livelihood, Ramachander said a delegation of fishermen will strive to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi lay foundation stone for the project, which is also important given that phase III expansion of the existing harbor at Bunder at Bengre has not taken off for various reasons thus far.



courtesy:TOI