The Hindu Business Line : Sethusamudram project — Baalu promises support to fishing sector

THE Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, has said the plan report for the Sethusamudram project would be ready by November.

He was participating in an inter-action session with the representatives of the Unions of Small Boat Owners and Fishermen, organised by the Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT), here on Friday.

According to Mr Baalu, the project, that has been hanging fire for about 150 years, on completion, would help boost the economy of the State.

The Government was keen to understand the problems of the fishermen and execute the project without affecting their interests. Fishermen should not fall prey to any misinformation and the purpose of the meeting is to clear them, if any, he added.

Mr S.J. Gayes, President, Tuticorin South District Fishermen Community Association, said that increased movement of ships would affect their living. Already, their boats and nets were destroyed because of accidents due to movement of ships in the fishing area on the sea. Further, the present fishing zone was not adequate and it should be enlarged to 40 nautical miles from the present 17.5 nautical miles.

The ships should not be allowed to enter the fishing zone and sufficient protection must be given to fishermen, Mr Gayes said.Recounting the cases due to negligence of the shipping companies, he urged the Minister to ensure speedy settlement. He expressed the fear that due to deep dredging, the Gulf of Mannar with 5,500 sq. km. fishing zone may become void of fish and affect their livelihood.

Underwater resources such as coral reef that provide a livelihood would disappear, he said.

Other representatives demanded that adequate supply of diesel be made available to them and a reduction in the excise duty on boats be effected. When the dredging work started, the fishermen from the area may not be able to go on fishing and adequate employment under the project should be given, they said.

A shipping agency representative assured strict adherence to the rules, once the fishing zone was clearly demarcated by the authorities.

Mr Baalu said the stretch between Punnakayal and Tuticorin would be declared as fishing zone. Small exclusive ports for fishermen would be established in seven places in Ramanathapuram district, and also in Dhanuskodi. Suitable regulations would be made to monitor the movement of ships. He urged them to resolve problems that might arise between trawlers and boatmen through local initiative.

Mr N. K. Ragupathy, TPT Chairman, said that Rs 8 crore has been allotted for a 30-km road between Tiruchendur and Koodankulam.

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