Mangaluru
Fisheries Minister Mankala Vaidya is scheduled to visit the Old Port, Bunder, by the end of the month to evaluate the challenges faced by the local fishing community. This follows a meeting with fishermen leaders and Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, where pressing issues were discussed.
Chethan Bengre, President of the Mangaluru Trawl Boat Association, emphasized the urgent need for the long-awaited expansion of the Old Port, particularly the initiation of the third phase of the project. Currently, over 1,500 fishing boats operate at the Mangalore Fishing Harbour, but essential facilities for at least 500 boats are lacking, causing significant hardship for local fishermen. Despite the government allocating ₹49.5 crore for the expansion in 2023, the third phase has been stalled in the tender process for over a year.
Bengre also pointed out that ₹37.5 crore earmarked under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for the modernization of the harbour is pending necessary state and Coastal Regulation Zone approvals. He urged the government to expedite these processes and requested a temporary allocation of a 200-meter section of the adjacent commercial dock to facilitate fishing activities until the expansion is completed.
