The fishing harbour here might be abuzz with activity with large loads of fish all around but the fishermen, owners of mechanised fishing boats and fisherwomen selling fish are yet to recover totally from the huge damage caused by the cyclone on October 12.
In spite of the activity all around, major repairs being done on the boats would silently explain the situation to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team that was on a visit to the district.
A couple of fisherwomen who were waiting for traders to buy fish, said the situation was not yet good. President of the AP Mechanised Boat Owners Welfare Association B.Ch. Appa Rao, and secretary Vasupalli Yellaji Rao said the compensation being given for the 63 sunken boats, from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh each, was inadequate. The compensation would be given only after the boat was scrapped. Repairs to the 57 badly damaged boats would be from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh but the compensation was not even half of it. They felt that the Government should go by the assessment made by a committee sent by it in the past. Teddu Shankar of the Traditional Fishermen Youth Welfare Association said there was no compensation for the nets, ropes, material for catching fish, fish stock etc., all damaged by the cyclone.
Municipal Commissioner M. Janaki and Engineer-in-Chief of Municipal Administration Panduranga Rao held a photo exhibition on the beach road to explain the damage suffered by the GVMC. The team visited Ramakrsihna beach, Rajiv Smruthi Bhavan, IT SEZ at Rushikonda, Simhagiri colony in Peda Gadili, and Visakhapatnam port, before leaving for Sunkarimetta in the Agency.
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