Taking the recently constructed fish landing centre at Nagore to a higher degree of functionality, a new project of building breakwaters (bulkheads) to prevent siltation of the bar mouth at Vettar in Nagore has been launched here.
The project envisages setting up of breakwaters of up to 330 metres long, with an underwater depth of 4.3 metres and above water height of four metres.
The proposal envisions providing a secure harbour in the fish landing centre for the fishing boats that were hampered by intense and frequent siltation resulting from long-shore drift.
An official source told The Hindu that the heightened siltation and sedimentation is caused by similar bulkheads built by the Marg Port in Vanjoor in the vicinity of Nagore.
The fish landing centre was recently made operational at a cost of Rs. 6 crore.
However, the fishing boats faced difficulties in passing through Vettar bar mouth because of siltation, posing the need for frequent dredging.
The breakwater project under the Modernisation of Coastal Inlet of the Vettar and funded by NABARD under its Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme envisages an estimated cost of Rs. 11 crore.
For NABARD, it is the 19th scheme under RIDS for the district.
The project implemented by the Fisheries Department has been awarded to Erode-based Sripathi Associates with a completion period of 12 months.
Consultations for the project has been provided by IIT Madras.
According to the official, the project is proposed to be completed within nine months, with a three-month buffer period in the event of monsoon hurdles.
Earlier, the foundation stone for the project was laid by Minister for Fisheries K.A. Jayapal here.
