In a development sure to buoy the spirits of the local fishing community, plans are underway to establish a new fishing harbour in Pozhiyoor. With an allocation of Rs 5 crore from the state budget earmarked for initial work, Pozhiyoor is poised to claim the title of the state’s second-largest fishing harbour upon completion.
The long-anticipated project aims to fulfill the aspirations of the fishermen residing in the region, providing them with a modern harbour capable of facilitating boat launches in all weather conditions. For years, this has been a cherished dream among locals, who currently endure the inconvenience of traveling to distant harbours for their livelihoods.
Spanning from the Kollemcode region on the Kerala border to Pozhikkara in Poovar, the area is home to approximately 50 lakh fishermen. The majority of them rely on fishing harbours located far from their residences, with only a small fraction still engaged in traditional fishing methods to sustain their livelihoods.
Challenges such as the construction of a causeway in the sea in Tamil Nadu have exacerbated the difficulties faced by the fishermen, making it increasingly impractical to launch boats from Kollemcode. Additionally, changing weather patterns force fishermen to venture to remote areas, incurring extra expenses and substantial losses.
Preliminary studies have affirmed the suitability of the Pozhiyoor coastline for harbour construction, with ample outlying land available up to Kollemcode, Paruthiyur, and Poovar Pozhikkara. Leveraging the deeper waters in the Paruthiyur area promises to reduce construction costs.
The ambitious project, estimated at a total cost of Rs 346 crores, will be executed in two phases. Initially, a 200-meter-wide harbour capable of accommodating both small and large boats will be constructed, alongside 800-meter-wide embankments extending 300 meters into the sea. The second phase will focus on providing facilities for deep-sea fishing boats, further enhancing the harbour’s capabilities.
With a state share of Rs 146 crores and a centre share of Rs 200 crores, the construction of the Pozhiyoor fishing harbour marks a significant milestone in the development of coastal infrastructure. As plans progress, anticipation grows for the transformation of Pozhiyoor into a thriving hub for the local fishing industry.