The dilapidated condition of the Talpona jetty and the deposit of silt at the mouth have rendered it unusable and dangerous, while the accidents involving fishing boats and decline in fishing activities due to lack of proper infrastructure has turned the spotlight on the urgent need of repairs of the only fishing jetty in the taluka.
The jetty-cum-fish landing facility on the banks of the Talpona river, which was constructed over three decades ago, has not seen any upkeep and maintenance and with the underneath reinforcement steel corroded, the jetty can collapse anytime, said the locals and have demanded its immediate repair and dredging of its mouth.
Looking at the needs of the fishing vessel owners, the fisheries department had built the jetty in 1988. This accelerated the economy of the fishing community, encouraging fishing activities in the sea and in the river.
Local fisherman Pradeep Mokardekar said that in due course of time, the once-flourishing fishing business has suffered a setback due to the deplorable condition of the jetty, no proper facilities and the formation of sand bar at the mouth of the river which risks the lives of fishermen when they venture out at sea and return with the catch.
The demand to repair the jetty and desilt the river has fallen on deaf ears even though ministers, who visited the jetty, assured to upgrade it and desilt the river, he said.
Few weeks back, a trawler with a good catch got struck by a wave and capsized at the mouth of the river making it difficult to enter the river due to the accumulation of sand. Though the fishermen were rescued, the catch was lost and fishing nets along with the trawler got drifted in the sea.
Local fishermen said decades ago, over 30 trawlers owned by locals operated from the jetty and it was a bustling hamlet with all other supporting economic activities, but due to lack of basic facilities the trawler owners have shifted base to nearby jetties in and outside the state.
“In spite of all adversities, we have not given up our traditional fishing activities. If the government improves the infrastructure by providing proper facilities and desilts the mouth of the river, the fishing community will be grateful and we can boost the village economy and revive the fishing business,” they said.