12 hrs ago
Shivakumar Inspects Mangaluru Fish Harbour, Orders Action on Dredging
D.K. Shivakumar visited a busy fish harbour in Mangaluru early on Saturday.
He watched fishermen unload fish and observed an auction.
He also spoke with fishermen and traders about their problems.
The fishermen said mud and sand had built up near the river mouth.
This makes it harder and less safe for boats to move.
Shivakumar went on a fishing boat to see the problem himself.
He said the government would study ways to remove the silt.
He also said illegal buildings or blocked roads at the harbour should be dealt with.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar spent nearly two hours at Mangaluru’s Bunder fish harbour on Saturday morning.
He ordered officials to restart fish trading after it was halted during his arrival and sought a report on the disruption.
Fishermen raised concerns about silt at the Netravati-Phalguni river mouth, which they said was obstructing boat movement.
Shivakumar boarded the fishing boat JN Kripa to inspect the affected estuary and sea route firsthand.
He said dredging options would be examined, while warning that illegal obstructions and construction at the harbour would face action.
- Who
- Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, accompanied by Minister U.T. Khader and other officials and political leaders, met fishermen, traders and harbour workers.
- What
- He inspected fish auctions and harbour operations, heard complaints, travelled by fishing boat and discussed dredging and infrastructure improvements.
- Where
- Mangaluru’s Bunder fish harbour, the Netravati-Phalguni river mouth and nearby Arabian Sea waters.
- When
- Saturday morning, beginning at around 6 a.m.
- Why
- He said he wanted to understand fishermen’s ground-level concerns, including silt accumulation, boat berthing, navigation and alleged illegal harbour activity.
Key facts
- Visit duration
- Nearly two hours
- Harbour activity
- Fish trading was temporarily stopped during the Chief Minister’s arrival and was ordered to resume.
- Main concern
- Silt and sand accumulation at the river mouth was affecting boat movement and safety.
- Dredging timeline
- Fishermen described the gap as about three decades, while Shivakumar later referred to about 35 years.
- Current docking capacity
- Officials and fishermen said docking facilities were available for around 200 boats.
- Proposed measures
- Suggestions included dredging, wider channels, channel-marking buoys and additional docks.
- Inspection boat
- Shivakumar travelled aboard the fishing boat JN Kripa.
Quotes
DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister who visited Mangaluru fishing harbour
“I will decide whether a lease should be obtained for the dredging process or whether machinery and boats should be purchased to remove the silt. Earlier, there was a system under which the government itself undertook dredging. That system does not exist now.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Trade should not be stopped under any circumstances. I have come here to see the activity and found that it has been stopped because of my arrival. It should not affect the livelihood of fishermen and traders. Start the trade immediately.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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