Chennai: The Centre has given its 'administrative approval' for setting up a fishing harbour at a cost of Rs 113.90 crore at Mookaiyur in Tamil Nadu, the state government said on Friday.
The state government had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through a series of letters in 2014 and 2015, to sanction a special assistance package of Rs 1,520 crore as part of enabling fishermen to take up deep sea fishing activities and to provide infrastructure facilities in Palk Strait area, an official release said.
"Based on the request, the Centre has given its administrative approval for setting up a fishing harbour at Mookaiyur, Ramanathapuram district at a cost of Rs 113.90crore," the release said.
The state government would meet 50 per cent of the project cost, the release said, adding the harbour will comprise berthing and fish drying areas, cold storage facility, fuel station along with an administrative building. Tenders would be floated for taking up construction activities.
With the setting up of the harbour, 250 motor boats and 200 country vessels can be safely parked benefiting fishermen community of Rameswaram, Pamban and Mandapam, it said.
