Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Oct 14: The movement and anchoring of boats at the Malpe fisheries port has not only become a cause for worry due to large amount of silt gathered but it is also posing a danger to the lives of fishermen.

Malpe fisheries port which is the second largest port in the country is facing serious issues as desilting work has not been taken up for the last 7-8 years.

Fishermen are finding the port more dangerous than the sea. They are finding it difficult to jump from one anchored boat to another as there is every danger of slipping into the water and losing their lives.

If a fisherman falls into the water at the port, it would be difficult for anyone to rise from the silt that has got accumulated over a long period. Fishermen accuse the administrators of turning a blind eye to the danger that the silt gathered is posing.

Silt has accumulated up to the third phase of the jetty and it is difficult to anchor boats. In the Baputhota region, there is a substantial amount of silt accumulation that it is difficult to move the boats after emptying the fish in the first and second phase of jetties.

As Malpe is home to a number of big boats at least 3 metres of the vessel is submerged in the water at the port. If 2.5 metres of silt is removed the movement of boats would become easier, fishermen say.

In the last five years, more than 100 people have lost their lives after falling into the water at the port. Once they fall into the water and get under the silt it is difficult for anyone to come back on top. In the last two months itself, 8 of them have lost their lives. Moreover, there are many boats in the jetty that have gone kaput.

There is an urgent need for desilting and also devise an alternative system to save the fishermen's lives, according to expert Eshwar Malpe.

"There have been many accidents happening all the time. Many representations have been made. Now, grants-in-aid has been released. The fishermen's problems must be solved at the earliest," said Dayananda K Suvarna, president of Malpe Fishermen Association.

"The government has given its approval to take up desilting work for which Rs 3 crore has been made available. Desilting work at the channel and three phases of the jetty are likely to be taken up. The process is likely to be completed within two months and work will commence later," said Udaya Kumar, assistant executive engineer, ports department.