Work on modernisation of fishing harbour being executed at an estimate of Rs. 36 crore under the Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project here will be completed by the end of this year. The work in the first phase, includes construction of slip way, setting up of power room, winch room, and boat repair yard at an estimate of Rs. 7.88 crore. The capacity of slip room would be increased from 15 tonnes to 35 tonnes. A revised tender would be called for in this regard for Rs. 24.50 crore, said P. Parthiban, District Collector. In a release issued here on Sunday, he said that a chilling plant, fish processing unit and two sumps are under construction in the second phase at an estimate of Rs. 6.80 crore and the same was nearing completion. The daily capacity of the chilling plant would be 30 tonnes and the fishermen would be able to handle the fishes hygienically, he said. The third phase of the programme, which was taken up recently, pertains to construction of effluent treatment plant. Based on Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology, the work pertains to erection and commissioning of the ETP. It could handle one million litres of effluent per day and is executed on directly build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis, at an estimate of Rs. 4.70 crore. The efficiency of effluent treatment plant would be monitored during its maiden operation for a period of three months to rectify technical defects, if any. The repair and maintenance of boats would be more convenient to fishermen once the winch is pressed into service. Now, boats are moved manually to the repair yard. Work shelters This apart, the Collector said 10 work shelters would be constructed at eight places at an estimate of Rs. 23 crore. The shelters would be built one each at Mandaputhur, Kalikuppam, Akkampettai, Kottucherrymedu, Keezhakasikudimedu, Kilinjalmedu and two shelters at Karaikalmedu and Pattinacherry each. He said that the administrative approval had been obtained for the same and tenders would be called for immediately.
2017, The Hindu.