Thiruvananthapuram : A new state-of-the-art fishing port, estimated at Rs 140 crores, is planned to come up adjacent to the Vizhinjam International Port opening new horizons for marine exports to world markets apart from local perks in the form of added employment ancillary units of packing, processing etc.
Of the Rs 140 crores estimate, 70 crores will go into the construction of the port, the remaining 70 crores toward to build embankment between the existing fishing port and the Vizhinjam International port.
The new fishing port comes with facilities on par with world standards such as, wharf, jetty, 500-meter-long berth capacitated to accommodate large boats, lockers to store boat engines and net, auction hall to auction the day’s catch, administration offices, toilet blocks and canteen.
The port is being designed by Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune. The project design is being carried out by Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd, which is constructing the new fishing port for the Kerala government.
As part of the project, Rs 45 crores will used to renovate old port near Vizhinjam Church and another Rs 45 crore to renovate portion close to Mohiuddin mosque. These renovations will be carried out through the Harbour Engineering Dept and assistance is sought for the purpose from the Centre under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Akhtar Yojana.
Once operational, fish boated from the sea can be processed and packed for exports at the port. With international agencies set to be players, workers too will stand to benefit immensely. The project also opens wide opportunities for entrepreneurs in the business and industrial sector looking to export seafood without incurring huge costs.
