Minister for Fisheries, Harbour Engineering and Cashew Industry J. Mercykutty Amma has said that the work of a new wharf at
Ponnani harbour will be completed within a year. “The new wharf will be commissioned as part of the third anniversary of our government,” she said while inaugurating the work on the wharf at Ponnani on Saturday.
She said the government would consider paying damages to those who lost houses and fishing equipment, including boats, in the recent floods and rough seas.
The new wharf is being constructed at Ponnani harbor at a cost of ₹4.2 crore. Ms. Mercykutty Amma said that fishermen would be given interest-free loans from the Kerala State Cooperative Federation of Fisheries Development (Matsyafed). One of the three fishing yards being planned in the State will be at Ponnani, she said.
The Minister said that the foundation for a proposed complex to be constructed for fishermen would be laid soon. The government, she said, was considering options to save fishermen from debts by offering fair value for their catch.
Inaugurating the function, Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan said that Ponnani would soon become a tourism hub. Projects, including that of the harbour, were being implemented after careful studies, he said.
Ms. Mercykutty Amma also inaugurated 78 fish storage sheds built at a cost of ₹3.5 crore. She also inaugurated a fisheries station set up at a cost of ₹30 lakh.
Ponnani Municipal chairman C.P. Mohammed Kunhi presided. Harbour Engineering chief engineer P.K. Anil Kumar presented a report.