Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SS)
Kundapur, Apr 18: Gangolli fisheries port has been by far among the most neglected places in the coastal districts. Shoddy work has resulted in poor development of the port.
Gangolli fisheries port is in urgent need of development. Gangolli is the second largest fisheries port in Udupi district but there has been no development resulting in suffering of the fishermen.
The first phase of development of the port took place 15 years ago at a cost of Rs 12 crore when the jetty was redeveloped. Thereafter there has been no other development. Problems faced by the fishermen here are the same at all times - beginning and ending of the fishing season. Amidst all these, every year fishermen venture into the sea for their regular fish catch.
Though the redevelopment of jetties have begun, old jetties have collapsed and work on its redevelopment has come to a standstill. About 400 metres of fishery jetty land and the old jetty region are full of silt which has made it difficult to anchor boats. Fishermen have been therefore urging the authorities to allow dredging in the jetty region but to no avail.
No toilets
There are no toilets for men and women in the Gangolli port despite the port recording transactions running into crores of rupees. Men and women have been demanding toilet facilities but the authorities have not taken any action.
No rest houses
There are no designated places for women to take rest at Gangolli port. Women are forced to take part in the auction area or inside the small sheds. Women fishermen have been demanding a separate rest house for them at the port but to no avail from the authorities.
Security lax
There is a need to beef up security at the ports as there is every possibility of extremists sneaking into the area through the ports. No wall has been built to provide security for the port. There are no CCTV cameras either in the area. No security personnel have been posted. In terms of security, Gangolli fisheries lags behind.
Drinking water
Gangolli port faces an acute shortage of drinking water despite it being a confluence of five rivers. There is no drinking water facility in the port.
The port is in urgent need of development. For instance there is no shelter for vehicle parking and its concretisation. Besides, fishermen are demanding desilting of the jetty region. Despite these slew of proposals submitted to the government, the state government has not cleared any of them.
Kumaraswamy, deputy director of fisheries department, Gangolli, says "A list of developmental projects have been sent to the higher officials. Rest houses for women, toilets and construction of a wall around the port are some of the proposals that have been sent to the officials. We are hoping that the department will respond positively to them."