VISAKHAPATNAM: A team from IIT-Madras will study the feasibility of setting up a fish landing centre in Visakhapatnam district following the demand from fishermen for the construction of a mini fishing harbour at Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili) in Vizag city.
The proposal for the construction of a mini fishing harbour at Bheemili is one that has remained on paper for decades. The fisherfolk community in Bheemili have been struggling to sell their catch in the absence of a mini fishing harbour. The small fishing harbour at Bheemili closed over five decades ago.
The fishermen said a mini fishing harbour with all modern facilities, built at a cost of Rs 50 crore, would soon become a reality. The Bheemili area is an ideal fish landing centre in Vizag, but the government has been delaying setting one up for years, they added.
Stating that the fisheries department is actively considering the construction of a fish landing centre, joint director of fisheries, P Laxman Rao said IIT-Madras will make visits to Bheemili, Rajayyapeta and Mutyalammapalem in Visakhapatnam district. “Based on the report, we will submit a proposal to the government for the construction of the fish landing centre,” he added.
