Govind D Belgaumkar/The Hindu

• It is a key link for the residents of Lakshadweep Islands
• Owners forced to anchor vessels away from wharf
• Basic amenities missing; solar lamps fail to burn

Mangalore, Mar 15: Mangalore’s Old Port, a little away from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, is considered to be a natural port and is a key link for people of the Lakshadweep Islands, who depend on the Mangalore market for their needs. It is also one of the main important fishing harbours on the West Coast.

The port’s North Wharf, however, needs attention. “This is the best port in the country, but its maintenance is poor,” said Mangalore Old Port’s labour contractor H. Ismail. M.P. Abdul Kalam, proprietor of vessel Al-Jazeera, which frequents Lakshadweep, said every time the vessels were brought in, huge risks were involved. The depth of the water was not adequate to manoeuvre them, particularly during low tide, he added. They alleged that port and shipping officials were not bothered about the problem. “They collect around Rs. 6,000 from vessel owners for each trip (to Lakshadweep), but do not spend anything on maintenance, Mr. Kalam alleged.

The stone-masonry wharf has collapsed in at least five places and boulders have fallen into the waters, further reducing its depth and affecting the movement of boats. Even basic amenities are absent. There is only one light that functions in the entire wharf. Several solar lamps fail to burn. Workers and people dependent on the port said drinking water was scarce. Those using passenger boat services that connect Mangalore and Bengre pointed out that the depth of water was a major problem during low tide.

Cleanliness

They expressed apprehension over the lack of cleanliness at the port. “Outsiders bring waste and dump it in the waters, said labour contractor Ahmed Bawa. They all maintained that more vessels would visit the port from Lakshadweep if it was maintained well. B. Hassan, Assistant Secretary of the Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd., which has an office on the wharf, said he had been waiting for a vessel for the last five days to send a consignment to Agathi Island (one of the 11 Lakshadweep Islands inhabited by people), but, however, did not attribute the absence of sufficient vessels to Lakshwadweep, to lack of facilities and maintenance of the wharf.

Lack of required depth near the wharf has forced owners to anchor their vessels three to five metres away. Consequently, workers carrying huge headloads have to walk on wooden planks placed between vessels and the wharf. “There have been instances of workers falling into the waters, Mr. Ismail said.

Vessel owners have been demanding dredging of the channel, which has not been undertaken for more than a decade now.

Port Officer Mohan Kudari said the wharf would be repaired and lighting improved soon.