The ongoing Netravathi Riverfront Promenade project of Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL), with an allocated budget of Rs 70 crore for 2.1 km, is unscientific and negatively impacting the livelihoods and operations of boat building and fishing enterprises, said Athaulla Rehman, president, Citizen Forum for Justice.
He told reporters here on Thursday, that boat building yards and fish net making establishments, which have obtained financial loans from MSME, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and other financial sources for the establishment of their facilities, are currently facing the possibility of closure due to the construction of a wall-like structure along the riverside, which will result in cutting off the access to the river.
“The MSCL project is posing a threat of eviction to the boat building yards, fishnet making, and other establishments in the area leading to a reduction in the number of boatyard repairers and negatively impacting the local fishing industry in Mangaluru. This potential closure would also lead to significant unemployment among thousands of skilled workers with minimal or no formal education, many of whom are beneficiaries of below poverty line (BPL) schemes. The MSCL has not conducted a social impact assessment or conducted public hearings regarding the project,” he said.
There has been no response from the district administration, people’s representatives, MSCL, port authority for a grievance resolution of boatyard owners and owners of other establishments, but rather directed expediting the project giving preference to the Rs 70 crore project, he said, and warned of staging a protest if their grievances are not addressed.