The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Chellanam fishing harbour work to begin on March 24

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Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008
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Chellanam fishing harbour work to begin on March 24

Staff Reporter

Two breakwaters, auction halls to come up in first phase

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

Development: Fishing activities along the southern tip of the district are expected to get a fillip with the mini fishing harbour coming up at Kandekadu gap, Chellanam.

KOCHI: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the construction of the Chellanam mini fishing harbour on March 24. With this, a long-standing demand of the fishermen community in the region is being addressed.

“This harbour will usher in a new vigour to the fishing sector,” said C.M. Dinesh Mani, Palluruthy MLA. He said discussions were held with owners of houses that might be affected due to the construction of a new approach road to the harbour.

The proposed fishing harbour will come up at Kandekadu fishing gap at Chellanam.

Nearly 70 boats, with inboard engines and smaller ones, are operated by fisher folk from the region. With no harbour, they are operating from the Thoppumpady fishing harbour.

“Their boats are berthed at the harbours in West Kochi. The new fishing harbour will be beneficial not just for them but also to all up to Arthunkal and Mararikulam,” said K.D. Prasad, president, Chellanam panchayat.

Two breakwaters of 100 metres and two auction halls are also being constructed in the first phase.

“It is learnt that the final project has a breakwater which is 630 metre in length on the northern side and 320 metre in the southern side. Even the first phase will take more than one year to complete, as work on breakwater cannot progress during rough season,” Mr. Prasad said.

The panchayat has already started widening the State highway, which connects Arthunkal and Thoppumpady.

There is a proposal to construct two parallel roads connecting the fishing harbour with the State highway.

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