Harbour Engineering Department’s decision to resume construction of a long-stalled project at the Shakthikulangara fishing harbour has drawn fierce opposition from the All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association, which alleges that the project is unscientific, marred by corruption, and constitutes a fundamental misplacement of priorities at the busy fishing facility. According to the association, funds, sanctioned by NABARD for projects intended to benefit the fisheries sector, are being misused. “Highest number of fishing boats in the State operate from this harbour. But the department is focusing on non-essential structures like the museum and hall while neglecting critical needs, such as providing adequate berthing facilities and essential infrastructure for operators,” says Peter Mathias, president of the association.
The boat owners also point out that the area now allocated for the museum and hall construction is vital space that should be reserved solely for essential harbour-related activities. According to them since the harbour is open to the sea, only 250 m of the wharf can be used effectively without severe disturbance from waves. They also express their concerns over the condition of the project, which is reportedly being fast-tracked on a war footing to prevent the lapsing of funds. They claim the steel reinforcement bars that were erected long ago are now in a rusted condition, presenting a major structural safety issue that authorities are dangerously choosing to ignore.
“Furthermore, the harbour is failing its users due to severe neglect of existing infrastructure. An ice plant, constructed nearly three years ago, remains non-operational, and for months, septage waste has been leaking from the nearby toilet block, issues the authorities have consistently failed to address. We will be approaching the court and filing a formal complaint with the vigilance department to halt the unscientific construction and investigate the alleged corruption, vowing to ensure development funds are channeled towards genuine infrastructural needs of the fishing community,” they said.
In response, officials from Harbour Engineering Department clarified that a disaster management centre is being built as part of the project and the delay was due to the contractor stopping the work and refusing to resume it. “It was conceived as a three storey building with facilities to support fishers. But now it will be a single storey building and we are trying to finish as much as possible before January. It’s a project for fishers and we don’t know why the boat owners are opposing it,” said the official.
Published – December 05, 2025 05:41 pm IST
