With the number of mechanised boats increasing at the Malpe fisheries harbour, there has been a demand for the fourth stage to accommodate the same.
Though a proposal was floated a couple of years ago to construct the fourth stage of Malpe fisheries harbour at Padukere village exactly opposite the third stage on the East bank of the Papanashini, it had to be given up as the operators of traditional or country boats opposed it as they were berthing their boats there.
The first, second and third stages of the harbour are filled to capacity. They have no space to berth the mechanised boats. There are a total of 2,100 mechanised boats at the harbour here including 1,100 deep sea trawlers, 150 purse seine boats and 800 other mechanised boats.
Presently, about 800 boats can be berthed at the first and second stages, while the third can handle about 600. Besides this, when the weather is inclement or the sea is rough, boats from other places also come here to berth causing a chock-a-block situation.
In order to deal with the problem of an increasing number of boats, and after the opposition of the traditional fishermen to the construction of fourth stage in Padukere village, the Department of Fisheries sent a proposal to the Department of Ports to provide its land between the third stage and the old passenger boat landing point (old port) in Malpe for the fourth stage, about three months ago.
“The length of this area is 140 metres. This would easily help in berthing 400 to 500 boats. This would help in unloading fish and loading ice in the boats. The fourth stage is a necessity as fishermen have to anchor their boats upstream Papanashini when the harbour is packed,” said Satish Kundar, president, Malpe Fishermen’s Association.
“Taking into account the demand and lack of space, a proposal has already been sent to the Department of Ports. When it gives its nod for the proposal, the work on the fourth stage can be taken up,” said Parshwanath, Deputy Director of Fisheries, here.
