District Collector Vishu Mahajan addressing the fishermen’s grievance redress meeting in Thoothukudi Collectorate on Friday.

| Photo Credit: RAJESH N

Fishermen in Thoothukudi district have urged the district administration to conduct grievance redress meetings every month instead of once in every three months.The concern was raised at the fishermen’s grievance redress meeting held at the district Collectorate on Friday. District Collector Vishu Mahajan presided over the meeting.During the meeting, fishermen raised several issues and demands. They sought the construction of a ‘T’ shaped jetty at Mathavanayakkar colony in Therespuram to enable the safe berthing of fishing boats. They also requested the installation of high mast lights and surveillance cameras in the area.Pointing out that the grievances redress meeting was currently held once every three months, the fishermen stressed that this prevents them from reporting issues and obtaining timely solutions. They demanded that the meeting be conducted on a monthly basis.The fishermen also urged the authorities to expedite the completion of the groyne project in Punnaikayal and immediately undertake dredging works in the area. Residents from Punnaikayal sought the construction of a protective wall to prevent rainwater flooding the village.The fishermen further stated that the fishlanding project at Tharuvaikulam had been stalled and demanded that the work be resumed immediately. They also requested the relocation of the garbage dumping yard functioning near the Tharuvaikulam fishing harbour and the establishment of diesel bunk in the area.Other demands, including the construction of a groyne at Singithurai and provision of protected drinking water to Alandhalai fishing village, were also raised at the meeting.Meanwhile, fishermen from Pazhayakayal pointed out that excessive sand accumulation along the shore was causing difficulties for fishing activities and requested appropriate action to address the issue.Responding to the demands, Mr. Mahajan and other department officials said that all requests would be examined and appropriate measures will be taken. Regarding the dredging work at Punnaikayal, the Collector said that a team from IIT-Madras had already conducted a study and that the work would commence within a few days. Published - July 03, 2026 07:16 pm IST