The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Hydrographic survey for harbour launched

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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Hydrographic survey for harbour launched

Special Correspondent

The fishing harbour at Valiathura would enable thousands of fishermen from Veli to Poonthura to put out to sea safely throughout the year.

Thiruvananthapuram: The hydrographic survey held at the Valiathura coast earlier this week as part of a feasibility study for the proposed fishing harbour turned out to be a major event in the coastal belt. Fisherfolk and their families turned out in large numbers to witness the launch of a boat for the survey.

Inaugurating the study, V.Surendran Pillai, MLA, said the proposed fishing harbour at Valiathura would boost the development of the coastal belt. He said the harbour would generate thousands of employment opportunities and create a commercial centre in the coastal area.

Mr. Pillai said the harbour would also enable thousands of fishermen from Veli to Poonthura to put out to sea safely throughout the year. This, he said, would improve the financial status of the fishworkers.

Father D.Thomas, who presided over the function, pointed out that the harbour would be boon for fishermen. “During the monsoon period when the sea turns rough, fishermen will be spared the need to spend additional money to travel up to the sheltered harbour at Vizhinjam. This would also mean an end to overcrowding on the Vizhinjam beach, which leads to frequent tension and clashes among the fishermen.”

Sheikh Parid , Chief Engineer, Harbour Engineering, who was conferred IAS recently, was feted at the function. Addressing the gathering, he said the harbour project would boost the chances of setting up a water sports centre at Valiathura.

Councillor Philomina Rani, coordinator of the Valiathura Thuramukha Samrakshana Vikasana Samithy Melvin Vinod and other leaders Surender Lal, James Fernandez, Saifuddin Haji, Laberin Yesu, Radhakrishnan Nair and Patrick Pereira were present on the occasion.

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