In a huge relief to the fishermen community, the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) Board has decided to undertake dredging of the Paradip Fishery Harbour. The harbour, on which thousands of fishermen’s bread and butter depend, has been shrinking badly.
The board at its meeting on Friday decided to undertake dredging of the Mahanadi river mouth to allow smooth flow of fishing vessels, said sources. local fishermen have hailed the decision and expressed their gratitude to the PPT Trustees.
Notably, several mishaps at the Mahanadi mouth have led to casualties. Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik had written to the Centre for dredging of the mouth, but no action was initiated. Chief Secretary AP Padhi had also brought to the notice of the Ministry of Shipping and urged for funding the dredging.
Against this backdrop, the PPT Trustees had requested the PPT management to look into the matter for the benefit of the fishermen. So, the PPT Board headed by Chairman Rinkesh Roy has decided to go in for dredging the Fishery Harbour.
Chairman Roy said the dredging work would be carried out as part of the Inland Waterways project under the Union Ministry of Shipping.
The PPT Board has also decided to request the Ministry of Shipping for an investigation into the sinking of vessel MV Black Rose.
Way back in 2009, the ship sank off the Paradip Port and a lot of investigation into the incident has already been undertaken without any substantive result.