Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 19: Chief minister (CM) B S Yediyurappa laid foundation for long awaited Hejmady Kodi harbour project, here on Tuesday January 19.

The CM, speaking on the occasion said, “This project is the most demanded by locals and fishermen as there are no berth and supporting facilities required for fisheries activities. Now the government has responded to their grievances. In the budget speech for the year 2020-21, I had announced that a fishing harbour will be constructed at Hejmady Kodi in Udupi district. In this regard, local representatives and fishermen unions have demanded the construction of a new harbour.

“The government has granted an administrative sanction for the construction of a fishing harbour here at a revised cost of Rs.180.84 crore which includes the amount required for acquiring land required for the construction of the harbour. The central government has also approved the construction.

“The estimated cost of construction of the harbour is Rs.180.84 crore with central government’s share of Rs.69.30 crore and a state’s share of Rs.111.54 crore.

“The first instalment of Rs 13.86 crore has been released out of the centre’s share of Rs.69.30 crore. The tender process is at the stage of finalisation and the work will be started soon. The harbour work will be completed within two years and it will open for the use of fishermen.

“Fisheries sector contributes a lot for the economy of the country and it has given employment to many people. Protection of fishermen's lives is important. The government has been implementing many welfare plans to improve the economic and social conditions of fishermen. The government waived Rs 60 crore debt of fishermen and sanctioned Rs 251 crore to provide basic infrastructure for fishing activities. Rs 135 crore has been given for mechanical boats as subsidy on diesel. Hejmady harbour will reduce the congestion at Malpe. There will be no compromise in quality and no shortage of funds. We have studied the problems of fishermen. Due to Covid pandemic, the government has been affected financially. But the government is dedicated and working for the integrated development of fishermen and
fisheries activity,” he said.

The CM handed over cheques to the beneficiaries of Matsashraya and Bhagyalakshmi schemes and compensation amount.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, Fisheries, Ports & Inland Transport; Shobha Karandlaje, MP, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru; Jeevaraj, former MLA; Umanath Kotian, MLA Mulky-Moodbidri; K Jayaprakash Hedge, president, Backward Classes Commission; Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, Coastal Development Authority, Dinakar Babu, president, zilla panchayat; Shashaiprabha Shetty, president, Kaup taluk panchayat; Nithin Kumar, president, Karnataka Fisheries Development Commission Mangaluru; Dr G Kalpana, chief secretary, Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Fisheries department; Yashpal Suvarna, president, Undivided Dakshina Kannada Fishing Marketing Federation; Sheela K Shetty, vice president, zilla panchayat; Shashikanth Padubidre; G Shankar, proprietor of G Shankar Family Trust; deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha; Naveen Bhat Y, CEO of zilla panchayat, and others were present.