Speaking at the fishermen leaders and elected representatives meet at Deputy Commissioner’s office, Fisheries department Deputy Director Suresh Kumar said a proposal of Rs 57.6 crore for III phase of old port in Mangalore, Rs 32.17 crore for Honnavar and Rs 32.17 crore for Malpe port had been sent to the Centre. The decision on the proposal will be taken at a meeting scheduled to be held on August 18 at New Delhi.
“The proposal was prepared based on the request by the Centre. As we had submitted the technical as well as environment study report, the proposals are likely to be be okayed in the meeting,” he added.
Fishermen alleged the unscientific method of dredging undertaken in Old port.
The officials informed that Rs 10 crore had been earmarked for undertaking dredging in Mangalore, Gangolli, Malpe, Honnavar, Kodi Bengre ports.
The work in some ports had been completed. The proposal prepared for the development of Hejamady port had been revised to Rs 45 crore from Rs 83 crore.
It may take atleast two years for the implementation of the project, said Engineer P S Rathod. KFDC Chairman Ramachandra Baikampady assured to install weigh bridge at the Old Port in Mangalore.
Threat
Fishermen have decided to get arrested by berthing their boats inside the New Mangalore Port, if the port authorities refuse permission for temporary halts during inclement weather.
Karnataka Purse- Seiner Fishermens Association Honorary President Umesh Karkera said “during inclement weather, the boats can not approach the estuary mouth to enter the Old Port. In such cases, the fishermen will not have any other option but to approach the port to safeguard their life and the boat. If the NMPT authorities fail to allow us to take the boats inside, we will forcibly enter the port with our boats, dock them and get arrested,” he asserted.
He said “we have sacrificed our lands for NMPT,” he added that their agitation will take a serious form if the port authorities fail to concede to their demand.
It was decided in the meeting that the fishermen will meet the NMPT Chairman Tamilvanan on August 11 to discuss the issue. The meet was attended by MLA N Yogish Bhat, Coastal Development Authority Chairman Nagaraj Shetty.