Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna speaks at a meeting to review the maintenance and development works at the Malpe fishing harbour, at Malpe on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna on Wednesday asked officials of the Ports Department and the Fisheries Department to ensure that the Malpe fishing harbour is maintained properly without affecting the livelihood of the thousands of fishermen who depend on it.Chairing a meeting to review the management and development works at the fishing harbour in Malpe, Mr. Suvarna said there should be no negligence in the management of the harbour. There have been complaints from fishermen about the chaos and negligence of the departments involved in its management. Officials concerned should take the issue seriously, he said.The MLA took serious exception to the departments not inviting fresh tenders for harbour maintenance even though the earlier tender had expired. Earlier suggestions to install CCTV cameras, provide adequate street lighting and improve safety and cleanliness in the harbour were not implemented, he noted.Fishermen leaders present at the meeting said that although it had earlier been decided that the Ports Department’s land should be allocated only for fishing activities, it was being given to private individuals for other purposes without a tender process. They warned of a fierce struggle in the coming days.NH wideningAs work on the Malpe-Tirthahalli National Highway 169A connecting the harbour was in progress, the MLA asked officials to finalise immediately the design of the new entrance gate to be constructed by the Ports Department and complete the work before the start of the fishing season. He also asked them to clear immediately the buildings on Ports Department land that had already been identified for highway widening.The toilet constructed in Baputota by the Fisheries Department was not being used by fishermen because of lack of maintenance. According to the suggestion of the Malpe Fishermen’s Association, the local cooperative organisation should be entrusted with the maintenance responsibility, he said.Mr. Suvarna also asked officials to create appropriate awareness among fishermen about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other schemes.Malpe Fishermen’s Association president Narayana Karkera, immediate past president Dayananda Suvarna, secretary Jagannath Kadekar, Fisheries Department Joint Director Kumaraswamy and others were present. Published - July 08, 2026 07:36 pm IST
