Thiruvananthapuram | Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor on Thursday visited Muthalapozhi harbour and areas near the estuary here, where frequent boat accidents have claimed several lives in the past, and assured fishermen that their concerns would be addressed.
The area has become hazardous for fishermen when venturing out to sea and returning to shore due to high waves and sand accumulation in the estuary.
Last month, fishermen staged protests that stalled the Rs 177-crore development project, citing flaws in the breakwater design and worsening navigational difficulties at the harbour mouth.
"Dredging is required to remove the accumulated sand. Similarly, in some areas, the laid stones have collapsed and need to be rectified. There has also been a demand to reposition the signal light, and directions have been given to the authorities in this regard," Gafoor said.
The minister said all necessary arrangements would be made to ensure safe fishing operations in the area.
"We will hear the opinions of fishermen and seek technical advice from experts before proceeding further," he said.
Gafoor said that removing sand using the department's currently available dredger would be time-consuming due to the dredger's limited capacity.
"Fishermen's representatives told us that Adani Port has a more capable dredger. We will decide after studying the matter. The technical aspects will also be examined," he said.
The minister said no new expert committee would be constituted to study the issue.
"The expert committee that had earlier studied the matter and submitted a report will be asked to revisit the issue," he said.
Gafoor said the state government would continue to rely on the study report prepared by the Central Water and Power Research Station.
"That team will visit here in July. They will assess the progress of the ongoing work and hear fishermen's concerns. We will then decide whether any changes are required in the works being carried out here," the minister said.
MLA Remya Haridas and fisheries department officials also accompanied the minister during the visit.
