KOLLAM: The Central Government has recognised the State Harbour Engineering Department (HED) as a consultant for preparation of techno-economic feasibility reports for the development of fishing habours and fish-landing centres in the country.

Orders in this connection have reached the HED headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.

HED is one among nine organisations given the recognition. Five organisations are New Delhi based and the rest are from Chennai, Kolkata and Gurgaon. They have been selected from 41 responses to an ad hoc invitation from the Ministry of Agriculture.

HED, formed in 1982, has been engaged in conducting feasibility study, investigation and model study, preparation of detailed draft plan and environmental impact study, revival and construction of small and medium-scale cargo ports, fishing harbours and fish landing sites and improving the facilities at several locations along the 560-km-long Kerala coast for the past 24 years.

Major projects such as the Vizhinjam, Tangassery, Neendakara, Alappuzha, Beypore and Azheekal cargo ports are being implemented by HED. The Vizhinjam, Tangassery, Neendakara, Munambam, Ponnani, Puthiyapa, Chombal and the Mappila Bay fishing harbours had already been constructed and are being managed by HED.

According to P.I. Sheikh Pareeth, Chief Engineer of HED, the department is directly managing the administration of all HED-constructed ports. These ports contribute more than Rs.250 crores annually to the State exchequer.

HED has now undertaken the feasibility study for construction of fishing harbours at Kasaragod, Koilandy, Talai, Tanur, Parappanangadi, Chettuva, Chellanam, Arthungal and Vellayil. Under the cargo port development programme, HED is evolving a project for promoting coastal shipping, Mr. Shiekh Pareeth said.

Under a project for providing more fishing days and other facilities to the fishing community, HED has managed to get the Centre's assistance for a 190-km coastal road and 39 drinking water schemes.

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