Karwar: If everything goes according to the plan, two new fishing ports will come up at Majali near Karwar and Keni near Ankola. The Fisheries Department and the Port and Inland Water Transport Department have jointly prepared an estimation of Rs 295 crore for the ports.

After INS Kadamba Naval Base (Karwar naval base) was established, thousands of fishermen became jobless and the government assured them of constructing two fishing ports at Mudaga and Mudaga. Later, Mudaga port was constructed and due to technical problem Majali was not.

Now both the ports and fisheries departments have prepared a detail project report and an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report. On January 20, a public hearing on Keni port was successfully completed. On January 27, a public hearing on Majali port will be held.

According to Fisheries Department deputy director Santosh Koppad, the DPR will be sent to Environment Department for its approval after that the government will take up the project and release funds. Ports Department engineers have estimated Rs 190 crore for Majali fishing port and Rs 105 crore for Keni fishing port.

Rajakumar Hegde, assistant executive engineer of the Ports Department said breakwaters, jetty, beach landing, shed, basin amenities, leading road, rooms, offices, compound and other required facilities have been included in the estimation for both Majali and Keni ports. After approval from Environment Department, the report will be sent to the government for their approval and funds.

In Majali, two breakwaters (1.1 km north breakwaters and 595 metre south breakwaters), 220-metre jetty that will facilitate about 350 traditional fishing boats and about 25 mechanised boats and 60 metre beach landing will be facilitated.

At Keni, two breakwaters (375 metre north breakwaters, 450 metre south breakwaters and 175 metre training wall), jetty of 225 metre length that will facilitate 350 traditional boats and 23 mechanised boats and 221 metre beach landing will be facilitated.

ENS