Traditional fishermen staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Thursday urging the State government to recommend to the Centre to take up Kulai Fishing Harbour project before July 18.
Addressing a gathering, Ramachandar Baikampady, convener, Dakshina Kannada Traditional Fishermen Association, claimed that if the State did not give its clearance before July 18, the Centre would drop the Rs. 230 crore project. He said that though the comprehensive environmental impact assessment report of the project was ready, the State was dilly-dallying in sending its recommendation.
The proposed fisheries harbour at Kulai will have fish handling capacity of 27,100 tonnes per annum. The project involved the construction of quay and jetty, dredging and reclamation, breakwater, fish handling and auction halls, and fish loading area among others. The project has been proposed on 11 acres of land.
While the Union Agriculture Ministry would bear 40 per cent of the project cost, the Union Shipping Ministry would bear 30 per cent under the ‘Sagarmala’ project. The remaining 30 per cent would be borne by the New Mangalore Port Trust. Mr. Baikampady said that when completed, it would provide employment to fishermen from Bloor to Sasihithlu.
If the government did not respond, fishermen would intensify their agitation, he said.
They urge the State government to give clearance for the Rs. 230-crore project before July 18
