The Union government has urged the Kerala state to submit a comprehensive proposal for the enhancement of safety measures and infrastructure at Muthalapozhi, a fishing harbour in the district notorious for several fishing boat mishaps.
To address the safety concerns, the State government is required to merge its existing ₹50-crore proposal for harbour modernization with recommendations expected from the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) by the end of December.
In response to queries in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Parshottam Rupala revealed that the Kerala government had submitted a ₹50 crore proposal for upgrading the harbour and sought financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Following a review, the Kerala government was advised in October 2023 to submit a comprehensive proposal, incorporating suggestions from the CWPRS studies.
Muthalapozhi has witnessed numerous fishing boat accidents, leading the State government to commission a study by CWPRS, the results of which are anticipated by December. Over 60 fishers have lost their lives in mishaps at Muthalapozhi in recent years.
In a bid to address navigational challenges, the Adani Group was previously instructed to maintain the necessary depth in the harbour mouth and channel. Under a 2018 agreement with the government, the group committed to dredging to keep the entrance and channel free of sand and rock.
The ₹50 crore proposal for harbour modernization focuses on upgrading infrastructure, encompassing electrification, a surveillance system, construction of an auction hall, loading area, a new toilet block, cold storage room, and extension of the wharf.
In response to a July 10 mishap that claimed four lives, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, dispatched a three-member Technical Team to inspect the harbour. Following on-site evaluations and consultations with stakeholders, the team recommended both short-term and long-term measures to alleviate navigational difficulties faced by fishermen.
