Fishing harbour at Hejmady, public hearing

Fishing harbour at Hejmady, public hearing

Mangalore Today News Network

July 06, 2016: A public hearing to consider the environmental concerns and impact of the proposed Hejmady-Kodi fishing habour was held at the Palimar Mogaveera Sabha Bhavan at Hejmady Kodi village in Udupi district on July 5,  Tuesday. The officers of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Department of Fisheries, and other departments, participated.

Udupi DC  informed the people that the fishing harbour would be constructed on 19.5 hectares at Hejmady Kodi village at an estimated cost of Rs. 122.59 crore.  It would be located on the banks of the Shambhavi. Its handling capacity would be 26,224 tonnes.

The State government had proposed the construction of the fishing harbour after detailed studies by the Central Water Power Research Station, Pune, and the Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery , Bengaluru, he said. The meeting was informed that about 100 persons would be required for the construction of the fishing land centre. Most of the persons would be recruited form the neighbouring villages.

The project, when completed will give employment to 5,756 fishermen and 1,242 persons in shore based establishments, distribution and marketing of fish and crustacean products, apart from indirect benefits, which would accrue.  Important amenities such as mending sheds, gear sheds, fishermen rest sheds, effluent treatment plant would be provided at the harbour.

T.S. Rathod, Executive Engineer, Fisheries and Ports Division, said that the tender process for the fishing harbour had been completed and its construction work would be completed in next four to five years. Ganapati Bhat, Joint Director, Department of Fisheries, provided other details of the project.   Leaders of fishermen community Gangadhar, Sharat Guddekopla, Y. Gangadhar Suvarna, Keshav Kotian, Yeahwant Mendan, asked various questions related to the project and related problems.