Visakhapatnam port has appointed Indian Maritime University (IMU) to prepare the ‘pre-feasibility study’ on shifting of existing fishing harbour at Visakhapatnam port to an alternative location at Bhimunipatnam.
The study, which involves geotechnical investigation, topographical survey, data collection, hydrographic survey etc., would cost the port about Rs 27 lakh and would be ready within two months.
Developed on about 60 acres of the port land, the existing fishing harbour is the largest on the East coast. Currently around 600 mechanised boats and nearly 100 small and big trawlers operate from this 30-year-old fishing harbour.
Visakhapatnam fishing harbour has been the capital for fishing trawler operations for the last 30 years, accounting for about 70 per cent of the country’s trawler operations. Every year, more than Rs 500 crore worth of marine products, mainly tiger shrimp, are harvested at this harbour.
Now, due to congestion, the port is planning to shift the fishing harbour to an alternative location. Shifting of fishing harbour would cost Rs 400 - 500 crore, but still the port is prepared to spend this amount to enable better utilisation of the harbour space, according to port officials.
If the fishing harbour is shifted to another location, the space hence opened up could be used for construction of two to three berths with deep draft, which can accommodate larger vessels with the huge back up area coming handy for stocking cargo.
More From This Section
This will help reduce port congestion drastically, even catering to the future needs of the port with revenues expected to increase significantly, officials said.
Fishing trade people and local fishermen's association, however, are strongly opposing the port’s decision to shift the fishing harbour to Bhimunipatnam.