Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 18: The state cabinet has given its approval for the construction of Hejmady fishing port and development of jetty at Gangolli in the district. A sum of Rs 180.84 crore has been set aside for Hejmady port whereas Rs 12 crore has been earmarked for reconstruction of the jetty at Gangolli port.

It is almost 18 months since the jetty of the second auction yard of Gangolli port crashed. The minor port has become useless because of the accumulation of silt. About ten years ago, 405 metre-long jetty, auction yard and other development works had been conducted at Gangolli at a cost of Rs 8.2 crore but now only about 150 metres is available for fishing activities as the balance jetty has crashed.

Hejmady jetty (file photo)

Long-expected Hejamady port proposal is getting a big boost now. The port will come up at a cost of Rs 180 crore in realization of three-decade long demand. The port will be built with 50:50 contributions by the central and state governments. The government has set aside 63 acres of land for the purpose. Out of this, the deputy commissioner had transferred ten acres of land to port department. Later, the revenue department had set aside the balance 35.63 acres of land for port construction, by transferring in the name of fisheries department. The cabinet has now provided for acquiring land standing in private hands by way of land acquisition proceedings. Once completed, this port will be able to handle 26,224 metric tonnes of fish annually, apart from 156 mechanized boats, 467 motorized boats, as well as 500 traditional country boats.

Yashpal Suvarna, president of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Cooperative Fish Marketing Federation, has thanked the state government for showing interest to solve the problems of the fishermen. He said that both the state and central government have proved their commitment to the cause of the fishermen.

Byndoor MLA B M Sukumar Shetty, said that request for jetty repair was made two years back. Now a fresh proposal costing Rs 12 crore was made to reconstruct the jetty instead of repairing it at a cost of nine crore rupees, he stated. He said that this amount has been sanctioned on account of special concern shown by the chief minister.