Decks for the much-awaited Colachel fishing harbour in Kanyakumari district have been cleared, with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa sanctioning Rs. 87.75 crore for the project.
The latest approval was towards the revised cost of the project, according to an official release issued on Saturday.
Based on the recommendations of the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, a breakwater on the East, 540 metre long, and a similar facility on west running to a length of 230 metre were to be constructed.
Besides, a host of projects in various locations across the State seeking to improve the catch, income and living standard of fishermen had been approved.
A sum of Rs. two crore was also sanctioned this fiscal towards the detailed project reports for fishing landing centres and fishing harbours.
The Chief Minister gave administrative sanction for the expansion project of a fish landing centre at Mudasalodai in Cuddalore district. When implemented, the proposal would help handle more boats – 100 fishing boats and 400 country boats. Setting up of centre for making fishing nets and construction of an administrative building also figures in the proposal.
SCUBA units
Also, the State government has decided to provide SCUBA (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) unit and compressor to fishermen who dive into the seawater for conch shells at a subsidised cost.
An amount of Rs. 20 lakh was being set aside this fiscal as part of the programme to provide the gear at 75 per cent subsidy.
Education allocation
Towards educating the fishermen and imparting skills, a sum of Rs.50 lakh was also sanctioned by Ms.Jayalalithaa for the programme under which Rs.50,000 as educational aid to youths from fishing community for pursuing courses in nautical science and marine engineering. The scheme is for 100 youths this fiscal, the release said.
