The Hindu Business Line : `Fishing jetty near Gangavaram feasible'

Future projects
Several projects were coming up between Kakinada and Srikakulam along the coast, and the State Government should undertake construction of several fishing harbours at suitable places for the sake of displaced fishermen, Prof. Rao said.

Visakhapatnam , April 9

It is technically feasible and also desirable to have a fishing jetty built at Nallamarammapatalu, as sought by the fishermen facing displacement due to the construction of the Gangavaram port, according to Prof. R.V Rama Rao, retired principal of the Andhra University College of Engineering.

He was speaking at a seminar here on Saturday evening on the issue of Gangavaram port and problems of displacement organised by the National Association of Fishermen.

Prof. Rama Rao, an expert on suggesting sites for fishing harbours and designing them, said the fishing jetty could be made an integral component of the port project.

"In fact, that is what should have been done in the first place. I cannot understand how the State Government could have gone ahead so blindly," he said.

Not suitable

Pointing out that the relief and rehabilitation package prepared by the State Government was not suitable for fishermen, he said a separate GO should be issued making the modifications.

"There are two categories here - project displaced people and project affected people. The fishermen of Dibbapalem are displaced.

"The entire village has to be shifted. A tripartite agreement has been signed with them. But Gangavaram fisherfolk are also affected, though not displaced.

"They lose access to the sea, though their homes are not affected. They should be suitably compensated. In my view, their demand for a jetty in the vicinity of village is justified and it should be conceded. It is technically feasible," he said.

Pointing out that the fishermen of Gangavaram had already been displaced once when the Visakhapatnam steel plant was constructed, Prof. Rama Rao asked, "How many times do we go on displacing them, every time a new project comes up?"

He said several projects were coming up between Kakinada and Srikakulam along the coast, such as bulk drug units, and the State Government should undertake construction of several fishing harbours in this zone at suitable places for the sake of displaced fishermen.

"They should be taken care of first before embarking on the project. As far as I know, no clearance has been obtained by the State Government for Gangavaram port project, terming it a minor port," he said.

Worst sufferers

Prof. Nirmala, of the Andhra University, expressed the opinion that the issue should also be viewed from a gender perspective.

"Fisherwomen are the worst sufferers in the so-called development process. Gangavaram stands as a testimony to the callousness of the Government and the indifference of the general public,'' she said.

Prof. Surappadu complained that fishermen were not categorised either as Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and they were not included in most of the Government schemes.

"They stand nowhere. They stand no chance, with no other skills but fishing. Now, their very existence is at stake," he said.

Mr S. Gopal, Congress leader, expressed the opinion that there was really no need for Gangavaram port, as already a major port, Visakhapatnam, was serving the needs of the region.

"I am sure the Gangavaram port will not be a workable proposition. Basically, the design is faulty," he said.

Mr R. Babu Rao, Vice-Chairman of the National Association of Fishermen, and several others condemned the recent police action at Gangavaram in which a fisherman was killed and urged the Government to change its attitude and do justice to fishermen.

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