Kundapur: Gangolli Port Calls for Attention as Fishermen's Fate Hangs in Balance
Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Aug 30: Tragedies and accidents have been on the rise every year in the Gangolli-Alive region, a major fishing port in Udupi district.
Gangolli which was recognised as a prime business centre around 4 decades ago, developed step by step into a fishing port. The entry of ships towards the port was gradually stopped, after a ship carrying tiles sunk in the Alive region. This in turn paved the way for the development of a fishing port.
Around a decade ago, the region was marked for a mini fishing port project at a total cost of Rs 8.32 crore using central and state government funds. Work on harbour renovation and breakwater had also been take up. But the underwater mud which endangers the life of fishermen and which often leads to major disasters continues to be a major cause for worry.
Scores of people from different places come to Gangolli port to earn their daily bread. Hence it is popularly believed that it is due to the Gangolli port that fishing is still alive in Udupi district. Sadly, the government that should have encouraged the fishermen by developing the port and by giving them incentives, is instead neglecting the port.
Gangolli-Alive region has been a nightmare for fishermen for almost four decades now. In the year 1972, a Mysore minerals firm carried out a cleaning process with a view to facilitate manganese supply. Since then, no government has shown any interest in cleaning the threatening waters. As a result, disasters have been a common occurance. In an accident that occurred in 1985, five people lost their lives and in 1990 there were 11 deaths; and over the years, more than 50 persons have met watery graves. The accidents have also led to losses worth crores.
With the increase in such problems, there has been a drastic decrease in the number of boats entering the port each season. This is in turn is affecting the development of Gangolli, and the overall development of ports. Hence, there is an urgent need to clean up the waters and clear the mud underneath.
Breakwater
A proposal for the construction of a breakwater has been placed before the government at an estimated cost of around Rs 120 crore, but the funds have not been sanctioned yet. Even though there was a proposal to construct a 1.2-km long breakwater in Gangolli and another one in Kodi stretching 1.5 km, not much has been done so far, complain the fishermen.
In the initial phase of the Gangolli breakwater project, construction of a barrier wall across Gangolli port has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 3 crore, and as a result, boats can halt at the port. But if problems faced by the fishermen are to be solved the breakwater has to be constructed fully. There is also an immediate need to clear off the underwater mud, as there are several families depending on this port for their livelihood.