Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday inaugurated projects worth ₹86 crore developed by the Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare department in Kanniyakumari district, through video conference.
The projects included additional infrastructure facilities constructed on an outlay of ₹60 crore at Thengapattinam fishing harbour and the extension of groyne at a cost of ₹26 crore at the newly constructed fish landing centre at Periyanayaki street in Kanniyakumari.
The facilities at Thangapattinam fishing harbour included boat landing facility, auction hall, cold storage facility, parking area, sewage treatment plants and other supporting infrastructures.
Dairy Development Minister T. Mano Thangaraj participated in the inaugural event organised at Thengapattinam fishing harbour.
Mr. Mano Thangaraj said that 68,300 fishermen directly and indirectly benefited from the Thengapattinam fishing harbour, which serves more than 4,800 Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats and over 850 mechanised boats.
To facilitate hygienic sale of the catch and other for purposes, administrative approval has been obtained from the Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, and facilities have now been developed, he noted.
The Minister added that fishermen from 15 villages, stretching from Neerodi to Melmidalam will benefit from the upgraded facilities at the fishing harbour, enabling them to to handle and sell their catch in hygienic manner, in addition to providing amenities for maintaining, repairing and safely storing their nets and fishing equipment.
He further noted that fishermen on Periyanayaki street had faced difficulties in bringing their boats safely to shore, leading to repeated damage.
“Considering these issues and recognising the urgent need, a feasibility study for extension of groyne was carried out by IIT-Madras and after consultation with the fishermen, the groyne extension work has been completed along with a fishing net mending hall,” Mr. Mano Thangaraj said.
Collector R. Alagumeena, Killiyoor MLA S. Rajesh Kumar and other officials from fisheries and fishermen welfare department were present at the event.
Published – December 08, 2025 08:33 pm IST
