Udupi: Kodi Kanyana jetty construction work suspended at final stage
Daijiworld Media Network –Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 18: Natural resources are the only resources which can be conserved as well as put to use perennially. But often we come across instances where natural resources are not properly exploited. The under-construction jetty at Kodikanyana stands as a fine example for this phenomenon.
A jetty was sanctioned for the 200 acre natural lake here, as a result of efforts spanning over several years. Jetty construction has been almost completed, but facility to moor the boats there has not yet been provided. The boats face the problem of silt at the spot. At the same time, the construction of jetty has been stopped suddenly at the final stages.
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This lake is located about three km away from national highway 66. It provides shelter to hundreds of boats. The fishermen here had been fighting for a jetty since several decades. As a result of their protracted efforts, construction of jetty began last season at a cost of about four crore rupees, but the work has come to a standstill, at a time when everyone was waiting for its inaugural. As a result, the fishermen are forced to anchor their boats away from the jetty. The problem of silt accumulation under the jetty has also been a cause of concern, said president of Fishermen’s Association, Kodi Kanyana, Lakshman Suvarna.
Over 5,000 fishermen from the region will benefit from this jetty. As Malpe faces shortage of space for parking of the boats, this natural lake can be developed into a port. During the fishing season, boats find it hard to reach the jetty through the estuary located between Hangarakatte and Kodi Kanyana jetty, because of the accumulation of silt there. At present, boats have to wait for the water level to rise before they can negotiate the fiord, but dredging operation, if conducted, will enable the boats to move in and out of the estuary at all times, feels fishermen’s leader from Kodi Kanyana, Raju Bangera.
Kodi Kanyana jetty, if completed, can turn into one of the best ports in the coast. For this to happen, the remaining work has to be completed, and dredging work has to be undertaken.