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The work on third phase of Malpe port is nearing completion. It will be dedicated following completion of slipway construction.

The number of fishing boats had increased in recent years. Nearly 1,400 mechanised boats get berthed at first and second stage of fisheries harbour. Boats from neighbouring districts also come here and the space is inadequate.

Hence, work on third stage was started and is expected to reduce congestion and is coming up on 10 acres of land at Baputhota in Malpe. Initially, it was decided to take up the work at an estimated cost of Rs 37.17 crore. The work was entrusted to Yojaka India Pvt Ltd on June 21, 2011. As per agreement, the work should have been completed by June 2014. Owing to various reasons, the project got delayed.  Now, the revised estimate has been prepared at Rs 55.1 crore.

Fishermen’s demands
The third phase has been taken up in accordance with the demands of fishermen. It can anchor about 1,420 boats. The third phase has rest shed for fishermen, toilets, shed for repairing boards, canteen facilities and security guard room. There was a proposal for constructing a shed to repair nets. However, as fishermen said they did not require it, it was dropped from the proposal, officials said.

At present, there are over 5,000 boats including purse seine, trawler, gill net boats and over 2,000 traditional boats in Malpe. Fishermen struggle during ban on fishing to anchor their boats in Malpe.  PWD (Ports & Fisheries Division) Executive Engineer T S Rathod said “work on third phase is nearing completion. Once slipway is complete, third phase will be complete. Instead of taking up fourth phase of Malpe port, a port will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore in Padukere. The proposal is in process.”

He said a break water will be constructed at Gangolli at a cost of Rs 10 crore. Work on another break water at Koderi will be taken up at a cost of Rs 33 crore. Even before completion of work on slipway, fishermen have been allowed to anchor about 1,000 boats, he added.