Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jun 9: Construction work on the new entrance gate to Malpe Fishing Harbour and the adjoining National Highway-169 project commenced on Tuesday following directions from MLA Yashpal Suvarna.

With fishing activities at Malpe Fishing Harbour temporarily suspended during the monsoon season, the MLA instructed officials from the fisheries department, port department, and National Highway Authority to immediately begin the long-pending works to ensure timely completion without disrupting harbour operations.

MLA Yashpal Suvarna visited the project site along with officials to review the progress and discuss implementation plans. During the inspection, he noted that the harbour entrance gate had been redesigned with a width of 24 metres to complement the National Highway project. He also directed officials to widen the proposed minor bridge connecting the highway to the harbour and to undertake the gate and bridge construction simultaneously.

The MLA emphasized that the monsoon fishing holiday period provides an ideal opportunity to carry out the works without affecting fishing activities. He instructed the port department and National Highway Authority to coordinate closely and ensure smooth execution of the project.

He further directed officials to immediately clear the land under the port department required for highway construction. He also instructed the electricity department (MESCOM) to relocate power poles, issue public notices regarding alternative access routes to the harbour, and coordinate with Malpe Police to deploy personnel for effective traffic management during the construction period.

Construction activities began on Tuesday morning, and the old entrance gate of Malpe Fishing Harbour has already been dismantled. The project is currently progressing as planned.

Among those present during the commencement of the works were Malpe Fishermen’s Association president Kishore D Suvarna, secretary Jagannath Kundar, fishermen leaders Ramachandra Kundar, Dayananda Suvarna, Karunakara Salian, Subhash Mendon, Prakash Bangera, Krishna Kotyan, and Suresh Kundar, along with officials from the fisheries and port departments and the National Highway Authority.