Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Fishermen Urge Tamil Nadu to Dredge Silted Port
Fishermen in Thanjavur district say their port has filled with too much sand and mud.
They say the port has not been dredged for three years.
Because of this, boats can become stuck in the sand.
Around 140 mechanised boats and 200 smaller country boats use the port.
Many people in the area depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
The fishermen also want help replacing boats damaged by Cyclone Gaja.
They want to buy diesel at a nearby cooperative fuel station instead of travelling about 7 kilometres.
The district Collector said the requests would be sent to the state government and considered.
Fishermen asked the Tamil Nadu government to dredge Sethubavachathiram fishing port after three years without dredging.
Heavy siltation is causing fishing boats to get stuck in sand, they said.
About 140 mechanised boats and 200 country boats currently operate from the port.
Fishermen also sought aid to replace boats damaged by Cyclone Gaja and restore lost livelihoods.
They requested access to a closer government diesel bunk, while the Collector promised to raise their demands with the state government.
- Who
- Fishermen from Thanjavur district, represented in the petition by A. Tajudeen of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, raised the demands.
- What
- They asked for dredging of Sethubavachathiram fishing port, assistance replacing cyclone-damaged boats, and access to a closer diesel bunk.
- When
- The demands were raised at a grievances day meeting; the port has reportedly gone three years without dredging.
- Where
- Sethubavachathiram fishing port in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu; the current diesel bunk is in Mallipattinam, about 7 kilometres away.
- Why
- Siltation is trapping boats, while fishermen also need support after Cyclone Gaja and easier access to fuel.
- Port
- Sethubavachathiram fishing port
- Dredging gap
- No dredging has reportedly been carried out for three years
- Current fleet
- Around 140 mechanised boats and 200 country boats
- Livelihood dependence
- Nearly one lakh people directly or indirectly depend on fishing activities in the area
- Fuel access
- Fishermen currently travel about 7 kilometres to Mallipattinam to refuel
- Cyclone damage
- Cyclone Gaja damaged boats, and some fishermen subsequently migrated to other districts
- Government response
- Collector R. Revathi said the demands would be taken up with the state government