Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi has requested Paradip Port Trust (PPT) Chairman Rinkesh Roy to carry out dredging of the Mahanadi river mouth to facilitate normal functioning of the Paradip Fishing Harbour.
“As a large number of fishermen’s families depend on this harbour for their livelihood, the dredging of Mahanadi river mouth may be taken up by PPT at its own cost in order to facilitate normal operation of the harbour,” Padhi has urged the PPT Chairman in his letter.
Due to heavy siltation, fishing vessels are now using the Barunei Channel as an alternative entry point into the harbour, he pointed out.
Padhi stated that the fishing harbour was under the PPT’s control till it was transferred in 2011 to the local Management Society controlled by the State Government’s F&ARD Department.
The last dredging operation in the harbour had been undertaken by the PPT during 1998-2000 by engaging the Dredging Corporation of India, said Padhi, adding that when this integrated fishing harbour started operation, it had a depth of approximately 13 metre which has now been reduced to only 2 metre maximum at high tide.
“Siltation over the years and the effect of the Super Cyclone have caused substantial damage to this facility,” Padhi said. About 560 trawlers and 190 motorised boats are operating from this harbour. But due to heavy siltation and formation of sand bars, it has become immensely difficult for the fishing vessels to operate, said Padhi.