Fishing harbour to be modernised with World Bank aid

Pondicherry, June 5. (PTI): The fishing harbour at Thengaithittu in Pondicherry would be modernised with World Bank assistance, a top Government official said on Sunday.

The modernisation was aimed at providing more number of quays, modern winch systems to lift mechanised boats to repair the marine workshop, boat making yard, cold storage and processing unit inside the harbour, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner of Pondicherry B V Selvaraj said in a press release here.

Selvaraj, who earlier addressed 100 fishermen on the conclusion of a four-day intensive training course by the fisheries department, said the latest technology would be explored to provide synthetic fibre feders in the quays to protect mechanised boats from being damaged.

The department conducted the course in collaboration with the Chennai-based Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training.

He said steps were being taken to build cottages along the coast, where sea based recreational facilities are available, to attract tourists. Fisherwomen would also get an alternative vocation to provide various types of sea food to tourists.

In another press release, Mary Chinna Rani, joint director (fisheries), project implementation agency attached to the tsunami reconstruction project, said a four day training programme for fishermen of coastal villages on marine engine repair and maintenance and repair of fishing nets had benefitted owners of mechanised, FRP boats and FRP catamarans.

Experts from the Central Institute of fisheres, Nautical and engineering training provided the training, which ended on June 1, she said.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200606050310.htm