(a) whether the Government is aware of the long pending demand for setting up of a fishing harbour and provision of cold storage facilities at Uvari in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu;
(b) if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government in this regard alongwith the present status thereof;
(c) the time by which the above project is likely to be taken up; and
(d) the expected time of completion of the project thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)
(a) to (d) : The Government of Tamil Nadu had, in September, 2009, accorded approval to proposal for construction of a fish landing centre at Uvari in Thirunelveli at cost of ? 404 lakh under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme. The fish landing centre project was not taken up due to opposition from the villagers demanding anti-sea erosion works to prevent coastal erosion. The Government of Tamil Nadu under the State Specific Needs Grants recommended by 13th Finance Commission has accordingly accorded approval for construction of Groynes at Uvari at a cost of 489.20 lakh as a shore protection measure. The construction of fishing harbour facilities at this location has been withheld till completion of the anti-sea erosion works.