The Puducherry government has allotted 1.7 hectares of government land for establishing a fish landing centre at Pattinacherry fishing village in Karaikal district, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the local fishing community.

According to a release from the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, approval has been granted for a pre-feasibility report for the proposed fish landing centre to be established at the mouth of the Thirumalairajan river at an estimated cost of ₹57.18 crore. The approval was accorded by the Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery, a Central government institution based in Bengaluru.

The proposed project includes construction of a breakwater wall, dredging of the boat navigation channel, berthing facilities, a fish auction hall, net-mending shed, internal roads, rest rooms, dining facilities, toilets, and water supply infrastructure.

The department said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, at a cost of ₹93.22 lakh for conducting field studies, preparation of the detailed project report and obtaining various statutory clearances. The work is nearing completion.

The project is expected to improve the livelihood of around 200 boat owners and 578 fishing families residing in Pattinacherry village.

The land required for the project has been allotted on the southern bank of the Thirumalairajan river at Pattinacherry village to the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, the release added.