Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Jul 8: Maintenance of the Malpe fishing harbour must not be allowed to suffer due to official negligence, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna said while chairing a review meeting with officials from various departments and office-bearers of the Malpe Fishermen's Association at the association hall to assess the harbour's maintenance and development plans.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of the harbour and the alleged neglect in its upkeep, Suvarna said numerous complaints had been received from fishermen and that the issues had also been highlighted in the media.

He cautioned officials of the Fisheries and Port Departments to accord top priority to the harbour's maintenance and discharge their responsibilities with due seriousness.

He pointed out that although the maintenance contract had expired, a fresh tender had yet to be floated. He also noted that despite earlier directions, essential works such as maintaining cleanliness, providing adequate street lighting and installing quality CCTV cameras for security had not been completed.

Leaders of the Malpe Fishermen's Association strongly objected to the alleged allotment of Port Department land to private individuals for non-fisheries purposes without following the prescribed tender process. They reminded officials that an earlier meeting had resolved that port land should be allotted exclusively for fisheries-related activities and warned of an intensified agitation if the issue remained unresolved.

With the National Highway project connecting Malpe port progressing, Suvarna instructed officials to immediately finalise the design of the new entrance gate to be constructed by the Port department and ensure that it is completed before the commencement of the fishing season.

He also directed officials to clear buildings situated on Port Department land already identified for the highway project so that the road work could proceed without delay.

Suvarna further observed that the toilet constructed by the Fisheries Department at Baputhota was lying unused due to poor maintenance. He instructed officials to hand over its management to a local cooperative institution, in consultation with the Malpe Fishermen's Association, so that the facility could be opened for public use.

The MLA also reviewed the preparedness of the Malpe Fire and Emergency Services to respond to emergencies at the harbour and sought details regarding the availability of the required vehicles and equipment. He directed officials to immediately commence coastal erosion protection works in the erosion-prone areas of Malpe, Thottam and Gujjarabettu.

He further instructed the Fisheries Department to accord priority to creating awareness among fishermen about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and other fisheries welfare schemes of the Central and State governments.

The meeting was attended by Malpe Fishermen's Association president Narayan Karkera, immediate past president Dayananda Suvarna, secretary Jagannath Kadekar, joint director of the Fisheries Department Kumaraswamy, departmental official Savita Khadri, officials from various departments, office-bearers of the fishermen's association, and fishermen leaders.