B S Yediyurappa lays foundation stone for fisheries harbour in Karnataka's Udupi

UDUPI: Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a fisheries harbour at Hejamadi in Udupi's Kaup taluk.
The Rs 180.8 crore project, including Rs 13.24 crore for acquisition of private land, will fulfil a 40-year-long demand of fishermen.

The chief minister had announced the project in state budget last year and the state cabinet during its recent meeting, agreed to release funds for its construction.
The chief minister also visited a temple in Udupi
"The share of the Central government is Rs 69.30 crore and that of the state is Rs 111.54 crore. The Union government has already released Rs 13.86 crore out of its share for construction of the harbour, which is expected to reduce the pressure on both Malpe and Mangaluru," said Yediyurappa.

"The state with a shoreline of 320km and around 8,000 hectare of backwaters has played an important role in the nation’s fisheries sector," added the chief minister.

The state government has implemented various schemes for the socio-economic betterment of the fishermen.
On assuming power, the government waived around Rs 60 crore loans availed by the fishermen.
The harbour is vastly expected to reduce the pressure on Mangaluru
The budgetary outlay for fisheries development in the state budget of 2020-21 was Rs 251.57 crore with centrally sponsored schemes of Rs 200 crore.
The government is expending Rs 135 crore on subsidising diesel for fishing activities.
Exuding confidence that the contractor will finish the work in next two years, the chief minister assured that funds would not be an issue.
"There will also be no compromise on the quality of works to be undertaken," he said.
“The government as you all know is facing financial issues due to the pandemic. I will do my level best to address all your issues in the days ahead,” the CM said.