In view of its plan to set up a modern fishing harbour near the Gopalpur Port in Ganjam district, the State Government has asked the Gopalpur Port ltd (GPl) authorities to protect the beach from erosion near Arjipalli so that fishing boats can be landed there to the benefit of over 50,000 fishermen.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary Vishal Gagan has asked the Port authorities protect the eroding beach with groynes (structure of stone, concrete or wood projecting towards the sea to prvent sand and pebbles from being washed away by waves).
Gagan along with Fisheries Director Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya visited the proposed site at Arjipalli where old fishing harbour (now non-operational) is located.
The Secretary asked the Port authorities to dredge the old fishing harbour to two metres depth for the time being. This would help the fishermen to access the sea during low tide period also, said Gagan.
He also asked the GPl authorities to deepen an old dredging pipe which is causing damage to many fishermen boats.
According to the Government plan, a new fishing harbor would come up at a cost of Rs 100 crore behind Katuru village near Sana Arzipalli, 2 km north of the existing harbour, which is inside the port area.
The Ocean Engineering Centre, IIT Chennai has already conducted a pre-feasibility study. And a field investigation for preparation of Techno Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) and detailed project report (DPR) would be carried out soon.
The department has also asked the Ganjam district Collector to provide land schedule for the proposed site, which is 23 acres, so that steps would be taken for land alienation and forest conversion.