T’puram: The govt on Saturday has given in-principle administrative sanction for construction of a new fishing harbour at Vizhinjam, with the project aimed at addressing concerns of the fishing community following the development of the international seaport.The first package of the revised project will comprise a 235m-long breakwater and a 500m L-shaped fishery berth, along with associated facilities including dredging, lighting and road connectivity. The project will be implemented through Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPPL), the concessionaire of Vizhinjam International Seaport, under the funded works provisions of the concession agreement.The govt said the new facility would provide safer berthing arrangements for fishing boats and improve facilities for the loading and unloading of fish.The decision follows physical wave model studies conducted by Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) after the fishing community and the harbour engineering department raised concerns about the tranquillity conditions at the entrance of the existing Vizhinjam fishing harbour following construction of the seaport breakwater.Based on the findings, CWPRS recommended a revised configuration for the fishing harbour. The revised Package-I involves substantial changes to the location, alignment and configuration of the breakwater and fishery berth compared with the original proposal.The govt had subsequently issued a Change of Scope Notice to AVPPL under Clause 16.2.1 of the concession agreement. The latest order grants in-principle administrative sanction for implementing the revised package under Article 16 of the agreement.The new fishing harbour was part of the commitments associated with the environmental and CRZ clearance granted by the Union environment ministry for Phase-I of Vizhinjam International Seaport project. The clearance had envisaged an additional fish landing centre for the benefit of the fishing community.The govt said the revised project would strengthen fishing infrastructure at Vizhinjam while addressing operational and safety concerns of fishermen. The sanction is also expected to facilitate the early commencement of construction and completion within the targeted timeline.
