RAMANATHAPURAM: In a major initiative aimed at saving fishermen from dangerous situations, the State Government has decided to provide Very High Frequency (VHF) communication sets to all fishing boats in the State.

The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (ELCOT), which is expected to get the order for implementing the scheme, has started selecting sites for installing towers along the coast, from Pulicat in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. A team of consultants deputed by ELCOT surveyed spots along Rameswaram, Pamban and Mandapam.According to sources, the scheme will need an outlay of Rs.78.5 crore.

As many as 20 to 22 towers would need to be erected along the 1,076-km coast, with a gap of 50 km among them, to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

A census of mechanised boats and motorboats in the State was under way to identify beneficiaries. While all mechanised boats would get fixed VHF sets, motorboats would get portable ones.

The facility could be used for calling the authorities to seek emergency help, besides routine communication. The main aim is to rescue fishermen when they get stranded at sea. The location of a boat, the distance from the shore and other details could be determined easily.

It is expected that fisheries officials would operate the system during day and fishermen's associations by night.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail