Chennai: The Chennai Fishing HarbÂour, also known as the KasiÂmedu or the Royapuram Fishing Harbour, is all set to get a major facelift as the state government has sanctioned Rs 75 crore for renovation and establishing more facilities for fishermen venturing out to the sea from the harbour.
As part of the harbour renovation project, the fisheries department would be setting up a 300 metre wharf on the northern break water for docking boats, and another 200 metre wharf exclusively for docking fibre boats.
“The northern end of the existing wharf would be extended by an additional 140 meters besides construction of two 150 metre and 200 metre finger jetties in addition to the construction of a sanitary complex,” fisheries department officials said in a release.
Apart from these developments, the fisheries department would also be setting up to fishing net repair units, adequate power supply and good roadways at the Chennai Fishing Harbour as part of the project.
According to state government estimates, the renovation is expected to directly benefit 12,000 fishermen directly and an additional 15,000 persons employed in the fishing trade.
The Chennai Fishing Harbour that was set up in 1984 was originally equipped for docking and handling only 575 fishing boats.
Over the years, the number of boats that operate out of the harbour has been increased to 1,395 and a proportional increase in the fishermen who use the facility.
