Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu: The Pazhayar Fishing Harbour in Mayiladuthurai district is poised for a significant infrastructural boost under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), as the State government grants administrative approval for upgrading works. Pazhayar fishing harbour, strategically located at the confluence of the Kollidam and Pazhayar rivers into the Bay of Bengal, is one of the state’s four medium-sized fishing harbours and a crucial estuary due to its proximity to the mangrove forest habitat.
Official sources reveal that the government has allocated ₹26.26 crore under PMMSY to enhance the infrastructure at Pazhayar fishing harbour. The ongoing preliminary work includes the construction of a 180-metre-long Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) diaphragm wall, a 30-tonne-capacity ice plant for cold storage facilities, and an 80-metre retaining wall.
However, amidst these developments, local protestors are advocating for improvements in additional amenities at the fishing port. Activist J. Deepak Vasanth emphasizes the need to widen the congested approach route to Pazhayar, especially considering the substantial movement of vehicles. Addressing concerns about sewage water causing unpleasant odors and an unsanitary environment, Vasanth calls for measures to alleviate these issues.
Furthermore, protestors highlight the necessity of enhancing parking facilities for trucks that come to load the catch. These improvements are seen as essential for optimizing the operational efficiency of Pazhayar Fishing Harbour.
Simultaneously, the construction of a fishing harbour in Tharangambadi is in progress, funded at a cost of ₹120 crore through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). The official overseeing the project indicates that breakwater structures, 340 metres long on the northern side and 1,070 metres long on the southern side, are nearing completion. This development aligns with broader efforts to bolster the fisheries infrastructure in the region and promote sustainable practices.
