The unhygienic scenes with stink emanating from every corner of fishing harbour here may become thing of the past with a detailed project report for a complete makeover at a cost of ₹40 crore on the lines of Munambam harbour in Kerala approved by the State Government.
The State has decided to seek funds from the Centre under the Sagarmala Project. The support of Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) has also been sought. As per the DPR, collection of user charges for parking and using various amenities, involvement of stakeholders for management of the fishing harbour area are some of the proposals.
Visakhapatnam is the largest exporting centre for seafood mostly frozen shrimp with the turnover estimated at ₹7,500 crore. The harbour with 11 jetties was set up by Visakhapatnam Port Trust at a cost of ₹4.26 crore in an area of 24 hectares in 1976.
“The government has decided to bring about significant improvement in hygiene and sanitation in the fishing harbour area as per international standards. Once the plan is implemented, our harbour will become like Munambam which has won accolades from many for being the cleanest fishing harbour in the country,” Joint Director of Fisheries P. Sankara Rao told The Hindu .
Under the plan, the harbour will have 24x7 security and CCTV surveillance. Part of funding will also be made by the State as well as VPT, which is the custodian of the fishing harbour.
New fish market
For rehabilitating fisherwomen selling fresh and dry fish, a modern fish market will come up at a cost of ₹2.75 crore. Thirty percent each will be borne under the Special Development Plan and by the Tata Trusts and 40% by the Department of Fisheries. The State Government has already released ₹1.10 crore.
AP Health and Medical Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation has been asked to create the infrastructure for the market with 120 stalls.
A dry fish yard, for hygienic sale of dry fish by women vendors with three tonne capacity chilling room, built at a cost of ₹50 lakh is ready for inauguration.
