9 years have passed yet jetty work remains pending!

aaron, Sep 25, 2019, 8:56 AM IST

Mangaluru: Although 9 years have passed, the state-union government’s project to build a jetty under the third phase to reduce the pressure at fisheries port (Bunder) in the city is not showing any signs of completion!

After creating the 1^st and 2^nd jetty at the bunder, the government made up its mind to create a 3^rd jetty in 2010 as the fishermen and boats were still facing problem and required facilities. But due to coordination among the concerned departments and the total lack of will power has left the project stranded although almost completed.

The fisheries and port department has decided send a proposal to close the tender of the work done by the previous contractor, and issue new tenders to complete the pending work with a new contractor.

Notice to finish work within 36 months

The union government has approved the 3^rd phase expansion project at the cost of Rs 57.60 crore on Sep 20^th 2010. It was decided that the work cost will be borne by union and state government at 75% – 25% ratio of Rs 43.30 crore and R 14.40 crore respectively. In 2011-12, the tender was given to a contractor and was asked to finish the work within 36 months (2015).

During the progress of the work, the height of the jetty on the south side was suddenly increased from +2.50 M to +3.00M in the backdrop of the demand for the same by the local fishermen and the decision in favour on the state level. Accordingly, a revised estimation including the requested new feature at the cost of Rs 98.25 crore was submitted to the fisheries department for its approval. This was discussed at a meeting in Bengaluru, a high-level committee was created, the area was inspected and by identifying the minimum absolutely essential points, a revised estimation of Rs 72.80 crore was submitted to the government.

Stay order against the work in 2016

Amidst this, the few people approached the National Green Tribunal regarding some issues concerning the creek part on the south side. Hence, a stay order was passed from April 2014 to 2016. Later, the bench ordered that the creek part be included in the approved blueprint and a report be submitted in this regard.

Notice for new contractor

In 2018 Aug, when the fisheries department conducted a review meeting concerning the work, it came to the notice of the government that the work had stopped. Hence, it was decided that the contract with the contractor be closed, and an approval be sought for the work concerning the very essential requirements.

Later, this topic was specially discussed at the progress review meeting held in Dharwad and the contractor informed that the work cannot be completed based on the estimation what was 7 years old. Hence it was notified that a letter of consent be acquired from the contractor to leave the work in its current state and a new proposal be created for the pending work and be appointed to a new contractor. Presently this work is being conducted on the state level, however the question regarding when will the work be ever completed, still persists.

Two jetties created in 1991, 2003

The first phase of the Mangaluru fisheries port was started in 1986 and completed in 1991. A 138 M long jetty, 675 sq mt auctioning yard were created and other facilities were also provided at the cost of Rs 147.80 lakh. Then, around 300 to 350 mechanized boats with the length of 30 – 43 feet were functioning. Later, since the number of mechanized boats increased, work on a 2^nd jetty was started in 2003. The 67 meter long jetty was constructed at the cost of Rs 144.67 and completed in 2004. Fish auctioning yard, concretized bunder roads ad drinking water facilities were provided.

New proposal of Rs 28 crore

A proposal has been sent to the government to cancel the old tender concerning the construction of the 3^rd jetty in Mangaluru and complete the pending work at the cost of Rs 28 crore. Auctioning yard, road construction, radio information centre and other essential works have been proposed in it – Sujan Chandra Rao, AEE, Ports and Fisheries Department, Mangaluru