More fishing harbours along the district's coastline are on the anvil. This includes harbours in Poompuhar and Nagapattinam, a fishing jetty in Nagore, and a modernisation proposal for the existing harbour in Pazhayar.
Minister for Fisheries K.A. Jayapal, along with O.S. Manian, MP, Mayiladuthurai, inspected the proposed project sites on Sunday.
A fishing harbour would be set up in Poompuhar, as promised by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the election manifesto.
The project has been envisaged at an estimated cost of Rs.60 crore. A detailed project report was awaited, after which the project would be sent for clearance, Mr.Jayapal said.
The harbour at Pazhayar is slated for modernisation at a cost of Rs.27.56 crore and the fishing jetty proposed at Nagore would cost Rs.10.6 crore.
Inspecting the project sites here, the Minister said the projects in Nagore and Pazhayar were kept in abeyance for more than two years for want of multiple clearances.
“The Pazhayar modernisation project was sanctioned in 2008, and even tenders were called for, but stood shelved for want of clearance,” the Minister said.
A fishing harbour proposed for Nagapattinam near the Keechankuppam area is estimated to cost Rs.35.65 crore. It envisages deepening of channels.
The Minister disbursed compensation, increased from Rs.1,000 to Rs.2,000 for the 45-day fishing moratorium period, to the beneficiaries at the Collectorate.
This entails disbursements to 22,965 cardholders to the tune of Rs.4,59,30,000.
Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries; K.Sellamuthu, Commissioner, Fisheries; Collector C.Munianathan, and MLAs of Poompuhar, Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai were present.
