Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) chairman Dr. M. Angamuthu said modernisation of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour is getting delayed due to pending environmental clearances.
“However, efforts are being made to get the clearances. Despite such setbacks, the project is progressing and will be completed as soon as possible,” Angamuthu stated, while addressing the closing ceremony of World Environment Day celebrations hosted by the VPA.
Interacting with media subsequently, the VPA chairman said the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour’s modernisation timeline has also been affected by the need to minimise disruption of fishermen's daily business activities at the harbour.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Angamuthu disclosed that modernisation of Vizag fishing harbour is brownfield, rather than greenfield. This has contributed to unavoidable delays in project completion.
The initiative to modernise the fishing harbour had been launched in November 2022 with ₹151.81 crore funding from the Prime Minister's Matsya Sampada Yojana. Modernisation works include enhancements at the harbour such as reconstructing fish auction buildings, elevating jetty platforms, desilting jetties, constructing better road connectivity, and providing essential facilities for fishermen.
The contracting firm to which the modernisation work had been handed over failed to meet its commitment of completing the work by the November 30, 2023 deadline, leading to frustration among the fishermen
