Karnataka - Udupi   

Lack of slipway, a problem for Malpe fishermen

By Our Staff Correspondent

UDUPI, APRIL 6. Janardhan Kanchan, Malpe Fishermen's Association secretary, said on Wednesday that lack of a slipway has made it difficult for fishermen to function at the Malpe fisheries harbour.

Mr. Kanchan told presspersons that it was in 1986 that the fishermen approached the Government seeking a slipway so that they can haul their boats and repair them during the monsoon (off season). The Government responded by allotting 13 acres on the northern side of the Malpe harbour for the slipway. It even awarded the tender to a company. But that company could not complete the work.

He said the work was awarded to another company. But there is hardly any progress. In 1999, the Government allotted land belonging to the Department of Ports on the southern side of the harbour where 47 boats can be hauled up, and 114 boats are being hauled up in the area. In July 1999, 93 boats were destroyed in a fire. Government officials had complained that the fishermen were berthing their boats in an unscientific manner.

The association then put pressure on the Government, which took up land filling work on 16 acres at Baputhota near the harbour to berth the boats. It is alleged that land in the area was given on lease to a close associate of a Minister. A hotel and some other establishments came up there. Only 100 boats can be accommodated at Baputhota. The fishermen are hoping that the slipway will accommodate 300 boats.

But the demolition of the partially constructed slipway has dashed the hopes of fishermen. The area where the slipway is to come up has been allotted to the Department of Ports. He alleged that a new ship-breaking yard has been built for hauling and repair of ships weighing 40 tonnes. The construction work on the yard is on at Malpe. The cost of this yard is estimated at Rs. 27 crores, which is equal to the cost of the first and second stages of Malpe harbour.

He said while there is nothing wrong in constructing a slipway for ships, the Government should allow berthing and repair of boats of fishermen in the new slipway.

It should provide 50 per cent reservation for people from fishermen community in the new work. The association is against a ship-breaking yard, as it will damage the environment. A meeting of all officials and representatives of the people should be called at Malpe by the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, who holds the Ports and Fisheries portfolio, to discuss the issue threadbare. Should the Government fail to respond to these demands, the association will launch an agitation, Mr. Kanchan said.

Shivappa Kanchan, association president and other leaders of the fishermen community, were present.

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