(a) whether it was envisaget to set up a separate channel at 16 locations for effective communication between boat to shore and boat to boat to received emergency signals;
(b) if so, whether none of these stations have been made operational despite an expenditure of Rs.3.40 crore and passing of 4 to 8 years;
(c) if so, the reasons therefore;
(d) whether any enquiry has been conducted to find out the causes of the failure of the project: and
(e) if so, the outcome thereof?
THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a) Yes, sir a programme on `Demonstration of shore to vessel communication system to coastal
fishermen` was initiated in 1991. In Phase - I, it was proposed to establish 9 shore stations
in 5 states. It was also proposed todistribute limited number of walkiie-talkies to
fishermen. The details f the states alongwith the locations of the shore phase-I is
as follows:
S.No. Name of the State Location of the station
1. Andhra Pradesh Machilipatnam, Kalingapatnam
2. Tamil Nadu Nagapatnam, tuticorin
3. Karnataka Malpe, Hannover
4. Kerala Neendakara, Quilandi
5. Goa Betul
The Government of Kerala later withdrew from the project.
S. No. Name of State Location of the station
1. West Bengal 1. Fraserganj, South 24 Parganas Distt. 2. Shankarput,Midnapur Distt,
2. Orissa 1.Chandiput,Ganjam Disst. 2. Paradip Port, Paradip Disst.
3. Pondicherry Periya-Veerampattinam
4. Goa Salegao, North Goa
5. Andaman & Nicobar Islands Marine Hill, Port Blair 6. Maharashtra 1. Seasoon Dock, Mumbai. 2. Mirkarwada, Rtnagiri Disst.
7 Lakshadweep
S.No. Name of the State Location of the station Date of Commussioning
1. Andhra Pradesh Machilipatnam 31.01.1994 Kalingapatnam 29.03.1994
2. Tamilnadu Nagapatnam 05.06.1994 Tuticorin 10.03.1994
3. Karnataka Malpe 30.11.1993 Hannover 10.06.1994
4. Goa Betul 17.02.1995
The total cost incurred on setting up of these stations was Rs. 1.25 Crore.
S.No. Name of State Location of the station Present Status
1. West Bengal 1.Fraserganj, South 24 Training ito fisheries personnel Parganas Distt. and selected fishermen completed. 2. Shankarpur, Midnapur Distt. In general the performance of base station and other equipment was found to be good. The State Government has prepared an estimate for carrying out and completion of the residual work. The work is expected to be completed shortly
2. Orissa 1.Chandipur, Ganjam Distt. The tower at Paradeep has collapsed 2.Paradip Port, Paradip Distt. during last super cyclone. The base station unit has been sent for certain repairs. In Chandipur the base station was found ioto be in working condition. However for complete functioning of the shore station certain repairs have to be carried out. The work is expected to be completed shortly.
3. Pondicherry Periya - Veeramparrinam The civil works for establishing the station and R.C.C. foundation for tower have been completed. The electrical work and istallation of communication tower is pending. Thereafter the station has to be commissioned after testing of all the equipment. Training oof the local fisherfolk part of the programme. The system is expected to be commissioned shortly.
4. Goa Salegao, North Goa The building for the shore station is ready. Tower has to be commissioned. Shore station equipment as also the VHF sets have to be tested. The system is expected to be commissioned shortluy.
5. A & N Islands Marine Hill, Port Blair In the Union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Island the Port Management Board has taken the responsibility for implementing this project. The Systems haaave been handed over to A&N Administration on 08.01.2001. Walkie-Talkie also been handed over to A&N Administration for distribution to fishermen.
The approx expenditure on phase-II is Rs. 2.13 crore. The total expenditure incurred under this programme is Rs. 3.38 crore.