Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 23: Towards speedy implementation of Hejamady port project being undertaken jointly by the state and central governments at a cost of Rs 138.06 crore, deputy commissioners of both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district undertook spot inspection on Thursday November 22. The port project is being executed at the spot to the north of the estuary of River Shambhavi where Hejamady in Udupi district and Mulky in Dakshina Kannada districts meet.

During the inspection, the officials were accompanied by local fishermen leaders, and officials of fisheries and ports departments.

Udupi deputy commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis, speaking on the occasion, said that the union government has already released its share of grants and the state government has given green signal for the executionof the project. She said that the inspection was conducted for speedy implementation of the project.

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, Sasikanth Senthil, said that the administration has received complaint from fishermen from Sasihithlu about the possibility of temporary sea erosion happening there because of construction of break water here. He said he wanted to visit the spot to get information about the project and drive away any apprehensions. He instructed ports and fisheries department executive engineer, Manche /gowda, to get a study done about the possibility of sea erosion happening on account of break water and in such a scenario, where does the sand get collected. Scientist of CWPRS, Pune, Mahalingayya, was contacted over phone, and asked to conduct a study at the earliest on this issue and submit a report. Manche Gowda said he would visit Pune, hold consultaition with senior officials of the department and take steps to get the study report at the earliest.

General secretary of Mulky zone Purse Seine and Trawl Boat Fishermen's Association, Vijay S Bangera, said that they have been fighting to get the port project sanctioned. He said that in the past, thousands of mechanized boats were functioning here, and because of non-availability of port here, they have shifted base to other ports. He said that there is information that the land earmarked by the government for port has been usurped by vested interests. He said that in past, fishermen used to reside there. He asked the district administration to look into the issue.

Fishermen leaders, Hajamady gram panchayat president, Vishalakshi Putran, vice president, Sudhakar Karkera, zilla panchayat member, Shashikant Padubidri, taluk panchayat member, Renuka Putran, district JD(S) president, Yogeesh Shetty Balaji, officials of fisheries and ports departments, Mulky special tahsildar, Manikya, and many other officials and people's representative were present.