Puri: When the construction of a fishing jetty began at Nuagarh near Devi estuary, it brought smiles on the faces of thousands of fishermen’s families living along the coastal area of Astarang in Puri district.
Forty years on, the project is still lying incomplete, much to the displeasure of fishermen.
Sources said about 20,000 fishermen’s families are living along the Astarang coast. They maintain their families by fishing in Devi, Prachi, Kadua, Luna rivers and the sea. Although the fishermen toil to earn their livelihood, they do not get adequate price for their catch. As there was no proper marketing facility at that time, the poor fishermen were forced to sell the fish to the mafia at a throwaway price.
Seeing the plight of fishermen, the Union Ministry of Agriculture had decided to construct a fishing jetty at Nuagarh near Devi estuary at a cost of `12 crore in 1978. However, the construction of the jetty spreading over 21 acres is yet to be completed. Now, fish business is going on at the half-constructed jetty without any government rules.
Sources said suggestions given by the fishermen and local people’s representatives were ignored during the jetty construction. There was no communication facility to the jetty. As the jetty was being constructed very close to the Devi estuary and in the high sea currents area, in 1987, the west side poles and a portion of jetty base had caved in.
Although it was decided to build a base that could accommodate 100 trawlers and 50 mechanised boats at the jetty, now only 50 trawlers and boats each can be accommodated there. Besides, the authorities did not install the ice machine and dig bore near the jetty. Only a water tank was installed there.
Sources said the construction of a 50-room warehouse and electrification work was completed. The project work continued till August 1999. However, after the super cyclone in October, the construction work was stopped. With the passage of time, doors, windows and electric equipment were stolen from the warehouse. Now, the godown is lying in a dilapidated condition.
In 2007, Kakatpur irrigation department had constructed a bridge between the jetty and Nuagarh village and a pucca road on it. As a result, some trawler owners and fishermen are now doing business on the half-constructed jetty.
“Neither the state government nor the Centre is mulling for renovation of the jetty. Due to lack of fuel and other facilities, most of the trawler owners are going to Paradeep jetty to do business,” said a trawler owner Debraj Chhatoi.
If the jetty is renovated, it will immensely help over 20,000 local fishermen. The fishermen and trawler owners are supposed to pay fees to FISHFED as per the square feet space they use at the jetty. However, due to lack of faculties, a few fishermen and trawler owners are doing business without paying any fees. So, the state government is losing huge revenue, sources said.
Former minister Surendra Nath Nayak said, “This situation happened due to lack of vision of then irrigation, agriculture and fisheries department officials. The construction work has not been completed due to faulty selection of land.”
Speaking on the issue, additional fisheries director (marine) Debendra Kumar Behera said, “The state government is mulling to make the jetty fully functional. A survey is underway. Now the FISHFED is on the maintenance charge of the jetty. The jetty will become fully functional in coming days.”
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