DK Shivakumar Orders Probe After Mangaluru Fishing Harbour Trade Halted During Surprise 6 AM Visit; Warns Officials of Suspension
Mangaluru/Bengaluru, September 19: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar ordered an inquiry after discovering that normal trading activity at the Mangaluru fishing harbour had been stopped during his surprise visit early Saturday, warning that officials responsible for disrupting the livelihoods of fishermen and traders could face suspension.
Shivakumar reached the fishing harbour around 6 a.m., inspected conditions on the ground, interacted directly with fishermen and traders and travelled in a fishing boat to assess the harbour and understand its infrastructure constraints.
The visit brought several long-pending issues before the Chief Minister, including inadequate docking space, the need for dredging, accumulated sand along the harbour, navigation difficulties, problems faced by small fishermen in berthing their boats and allegations of unauthorised compounds and obstruction of roads.
But Shivakumar expressed displeasure when he noticed that fishermen had not been allowed to carry on their normal business during his visit.
He directed officials to ensure that trading resumed immediately, saying government visits should not disrupt the livelihoods of fishermen and traders.
“No business should be stopped for any reason. The livelihoods of fishermen and traders should not be affected. Resume the business immediately,” he directed.
CM Seeks Report on Who Stopped Harbour Activity
Speaking to the media after the inspection, Shivakumar said he had directed the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner to submit a report explaining why activities at the Mangaluru harbour had been brought to a standstill during his visit.
He warned of action if officials were found responsible.
“When I visited, activities at Mangaluru harbour had come to a standstill. I have directed the DC and Commissioner to give me a report on why this happened. If officials are responsible, I will suspend them,” Shivakumar said.
He also warned that action would follow if harbour activities had been stopped in an attempt to conceal any irregularities.
“If this was done to hide irregularities, I will take appropriate action. I do not need any security. I have come to understand the actual living conditions of fishermen, traders and the fishing community whose lives depend on boats,” he said.
Shivakumar stressed that commercial activity at the harbour should take place lawfully and without unnecessary disruption.
Fishermen Flag Docking Shortage, Dredging
During the inspection, fishermen’s representatives briefed the Chief Minister on the infrastructure requirements of the harbour.
Former Dakshina Kannada District Trawl Boat Fishermen’s Association president Chetan Bengre and Mohan Bengre told Shivakumar that docking facilities were presently available for around 200 boats.
They suggested that additional docks could be developed near the confluence of the Phalguni and Netravati rivers and the Arabian Sea, which would create space for more fishing boats.
For this, they said, dredging would be required.
According to the fishermen’s representatives, dredging had not been carried out for about 25 years and was required in the two rivers and near the estuary mouth.
Officials also informed Shivakumar that sand had accumulated along the harbour edge and needed to be removed.
They suggested installing channel-marking buoys to identify deeper navigation areas and facilitate safer and smoother movement of boats.
After hearing the representations, Shivakumar directed officials to take the necessary steps.
CM Says Estuary Dredging Issue Needs Technical Assessment
Asked by the media about concerns that silt had not been removed from the estuary for around 35 years and that the situation had become dangerous, Shivakumar said the matter had been brought to his attention.
He said Minister U.T. Khader had informed him about a boat that was stranded there and the circumstances associated with the dredging problem.
Shivakumar said different suggestions had been made on how to deal with the silt. While some had suggested disposing of dredged material into the sea, others had proposed widening the area.
He said advice from a central technical committee was required and that the government would obtain the necessary information before deciding on the appropriate course of action.
The government would also examine whether dredging should be undertaken through a lease arrangement or whether machinery and boats should be purchased for carrying out the work, he said.
Shivakumar noted that dredging had earlier been undertaken directly through a government arrangement, but that system was no longer in place.
Action Warned Over Illegal Compounds, Road Obstructions
The Chief Minister said people from different parts of the country come to Mangaluru for trade and business and must not face difficulties.
Basic infrastructure should be available and vehicular movement around the harbour should remain smooth, he said.
Shivakumar said road restrictions and allegedly unauthorised compounds in the harbour area had come to his notice.
He directed that action be taken against anyone found violating the law, irrespective of their position or influence.
If any disputed area was claimed as private property, the relevant records would be examined before further action was taken, he said, adding that the government would proceed within the legal framework and undertake development.
Small Fishermen Raise Boat-Berthing Problems
Shivakumar said small-scale fishermen had brought to his attention difficulties they faced in finding places to berth their boats.
He said the matter would be discussed with the district in-charge minister and officials before the government decided on further measures.
Describing fishermen as a large community and the harbour as an economic centre where people from different sections work together, Shivakumar said the sector needed government support.
He said the government had decided to establish a separate university connected with the fisheries sector and increase the existing educational intake from around 40-50 seats to 200.
The government had also decided to give attention to education, “sea metro” and the blue economy, he said.
CM Says Government Will Examine Whether Fishermen Face ‘Mafia’ Pressure
Shivakumar said the government had already announced around ₹32,000 crore for development, including ₹16,000 crore for infrastructure such as roads and water in rural areas.
He said a comprehensive report would be obtained on locations where commercial activity takes place in Mangaluru and Karwar.
Based on this, the government would consider a plan to provide necessary technical assistance to fishing families living along the coast.
The Chief Minister also said some fishermen might not be in a position to openly communicate all the problems they face and that he was prepared to seek confidential reports to understand the situation.
“I will examine whether there are mafias and whether people are facing difficulties. Overall, trade and business must be conducted fairly and the fishing community must develop. That is our objective,” Shivakumar said.
Coastal Karnataka ‘An Asset to the Country’
Referring to the government’s broader development plans following the special Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, Shivakumar described Coastal Karnataka as an asset not only to the state but to the country.
He said the government was considering a development roadmap for Mangaluru and intended to focus on comprehensive development of the coastal region.
Three to four new policies were under consideration, he said.
The government wanted to encourage investors in Coastal Karnataka and provide infrastructure for new investment. Shivakumar also referred to the need for quality hotels for investors and visitors.
Suitable locations could be identified and hotel development facilitated under the public-private partnership model within the legal framework, he said.
Tulu Recognition Reflects Region’s Demand
Asked about the decision concerning Tulu, Shivakumar said the language was a source of pride for the people of the region and its recognition had been a long-standing expectation.
Leaders from all political parties had sought the decision, he said, adding that the government had addressed the demand at its first Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru.
Kasturirangan Consultations to Continue
On his visits to areas including Thirthahalli in connection with the Kasturirangan issue, Shivakumar said a special legislature session had been convened for discussion.
Before the issue was debated there, he said he was visiting affected regions to gather people’s views directly.
After hearing them, the government would decide whether it needed to take a strong position against the Centre’s notification, he said.
“Our people’s lives are important to us. We will do whatever is possible within the legal framework,” Shivakumar said.
Asked how the government would finance the projects announced by the Cabinet amid questions over funding for guarantee schemes, the Chief Minister replied: “We do what we say. That is our strength.”
Minister U.T. Khader, Congress leaders Padmaraj and Inayat Ali, former Dakshina Kannada District Trawl Boat Fishermen’s Association president Chetan Bengre, Mohan Bengre and other local leaders were present during the harbour visit.
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