Kollam: The development of Kollam port faces a setback with the fishermen opposing construction works initiated at the 13 hectares of land adjacent to the port that was handed over by the Revenue department.
Fisheries minister J. Mercykkutty Amma has criticised N.K. Premachandran, MP, alleging that he was behind consolidating the fishermen against development activities by misguiding the community.
The minister assured that the development activities will be beneficial to the fishermen community and also that the government does not intend to evict fishermen from the project area.
"Small and large scale businesses centered at Kollam city face challenges with the opening of Kollam bypass as most of the vehicular traffic is diverted through the new road. This has affected the livelihoods of people who depend on business in Kollam city. The development of Kollam port is inevitable to compensate this situation by making the city lively," the minister said.The efforts by the government for the development of port, fisheries, and tourism sector are being sabotaged by the false propaganda by the MP, she alleged.
The land acquired by the port is for the development of port office complex including customs and immigration facilities which is unavoidable for the smooth operations of Kollam port.
"The MP is spreading fake information that the land was secretly handed over to the port and the government was trying to evict fishermen from the area in masses. This propaganda does not befit a people's representative and is aimed at ballot politics," Ms. Mercykkutty Amma said.
Meanwhile, the construction works in the newly acquired land adjacent to the port has been stalled due to protests by local fishermen community.
