Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 15: Deputy commissioner of the district, Dr Reju, warned the drivers of trucks carrying loads of fish that they can be imposed with a fine of Rs 5,000, besides being sued for murder, if road users pay with their lives because of the release of water from the trucks on to the roads.

In view of numerous complaints received by him relating to problems created by trucks spraying stinky and oily water on the roads, causing problems for the vehicles following the trucks and other roads users, the deputy commissioner had convened a meeting of the traffic police, tempo owners, and members of different fisheries organizations at the fisheries department office in Malpe on Monday February 13.

He informed that check posts will be opened at Malpe, Kallianpur, and Udayavara with effect from February 15 onwards to check the menace, and that the fish transporters will be given a week to fall in line with legal requirements.

A number of fishermen leaders said fishing has traditionally been their means of livelihood, and that export of fish has been an integral part of their occupation. They requested the deputy commissioner to explore other options to solve the problem, instead of registering cases against the concerned.  Some tempo owners said they get Rs 1,000 as hire charges per trip in some cases, and hence paying fine of Rs 5,000 would be too heavy for them to bear.

The fish transporters informed that plastic is used for transporting fish to local factories, whereas water tanks with a capacity of 100 and 200 litres respectively are fitted to small and big trucks engaged in transporting fish respectively, to far off places. They said these tanks get full thrice before their vehicles reach Udupi from Malpe. They asked for providing facility for emptying these tanks at a few places within municipal limits.

MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, municipal president, Kiran Kumar, vice president, Bharati Chandrashekhar, fisheries department deputy director, Suresh Kumar, port project coordinator, Ganapati Bhat, president of Malpe Fishermens’ Association, Hiriyanna T Kediyoor, and others were present.