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In a significant development, a technical committee established by the Centre has granted approval for a ?177 crore project aimed at enhancing Muthalapozhi harbour. This decision was made by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, with an official announcement from the Centre expected shortly. Once the formal letter is received, the state government will proceed to issue tenders for various components of the project, which includes the extension of the breakwater and the installation of remote-controlled buoys.
The funding for this project will be shared, with the Centre covering 60% of the total costs, while the remaining 40% will be the responsibility of the state government. Originally estimated at ?163 crore, the projects cost was revised to ?177 crore due to the incorporation of additional safety and infrastructure enhancements.
An official from the harbour engineering department noted, "The internal technical committee has approved the project, but we can only proceed further once we receive the official letter. Each component of the project will be tendered separately to expedite the development."
The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) in Pune was tasked with devising solutions to mitigate the risks associated with unscientific construction at the harbour. Subsequently, the harbour engineering department prepared a detailed project report (DPR) based on CWPRSs model study, which was presented to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in February.
Safety concerns at the harbour, particularly frequent fatal accidents involving fishing vessels at the entrance where the Vamanapuram River meets the Arabian Sea, have prompted urgent action. The CWPRS study recommended extending the south-side breakwater by 425 meters and employing a sand bypassing method to alleviate these hazards.
Additional components of the project will include the construction of a new wharf, an auction house, restrooms, water tanks, and renovations of roads and parking areas, as well as improvements to electrical and water supply systems. Since its commissioning in 2020, the Muthalapozhi fishing harbour has faced persistent safety issues due to sand accumulation and hazardous conditions at its mouth.
Earlier, the Union government requested the state government to submit a proposal for harbour improvements under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Following a review of the initial proposal, the Centre asked for a more detailed plan informed by studies conducted by CWPRS.
In May, the state minority commission convened a special session to address the frequent accidents at Muthalapozhi, resulting in the registration of a suo motu case and summoning officials from various departments, including fisheries, harbour engineering, and coastal police.
Between January 2011 and September 2024, at least 66 fatalities have been recorded due to accidents at Muthalapozhi fishing harbour. The channel between the harbours two breakwaters becomes especially treacherous during the monsoon season when conflicting forces of waves and river water create hazardous conditions. |
