Apparently, in deference to the opinion from stakeholders, the Visakhapatnam Port appears to have come to the conclusion to construct a Greenfield fishing harbour at Mulakuddu near Bheemunipatnam without relocating the existing one near the outer harbour.
Though the relocation proposal has been hanging fire for over a decade, the port has been raising the issue now and then, stating that the Navy is opposed to continuation of the jetty near the port due to security threat after terror attacks in Mumbai. The merchant ships, warships, and fishing boats use the same channel for navigating into the busy port.
“We won’t mind using the new jetty, but will not leave the existing one, come what may,” said leaders of boat owners P.C. Appa Rao and Ch. Satyanarayana Murthy.
The port, which is on a massive expansion mode with an investment of Rs.13,000 crore, is also facing space constraint.
The existing fishing harbour was built in 1976 and its relocation will give the port control over 24 hectares for stacking and other activity.
“We have told the port authorities categorically not to disturb the existing jetty and go ahead with the construction of a fishing harbour with international standards at Mulakuddu. If the fishermen are convinced that shifting will fetch them better catch, they may consider it after some years,” MP K. Haribabu told The Hindu .
The port owns 172 acres with a waterfront area of 2-km at Mulakuddu. Though it got a techno-economic feasibility study done by a Delhi-based firm, the port has decided to put on hold the construction of a satellite port for want of assured cargo.
However, according to indications, the port will go ahead with the construction of new jetty only after evolving funding pattern. This proposal, however, hinges on flow of funds from the Centre.
“Mulakuddu may not be viable as it is close to the river mouth of Gosthani, necessitating continuous dredging like Bhavanapadu,” Association of Indian Fishery Industries president Y.G.K. Murti said.
