Chennai-based Marg Ltd, a diversified infrastructure development company, announced last week the launch of the country's first fishing harbour in a public-private partnership model, at Rajakamangalam Thurai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. Marg will invest 100 per cent of the project cost from which about 51 per cent of revenue will go back to the people.
Marg plans to invest Rs 45 crore in the project that is expected to come up on 40 acres issued to the company on a lease-basis. The harbour, located 16 km west of Vivekananda Memorial, is expected to become operational by 2010.
G.R.K. Reddy, Managing Director, Marg Ltd, said that it would take at least 36 months to generate revenue. The harbour will generate a profit of Rs 5 crore per annum initially and will target 2,000 tonnes fish catch per week.
L&T-Ramboll has been assigned to do a detailed project study on the upcoming harbour, keeping in account the various surveys required at the location. Environment clearance will soon be obtained. The harbour, once complete, will benefit 85,000 people of the region and provide direct employment to 8,000 people. The unique part of the project is that it is being developed as part of Marg's corporate social responsibility.
Development of the harbour will add additional values like construction of landing wharf with mooring facility for 300 boats. Plus, it will provide advance facilities such as berthing to various category of fishing crafts, boatbuilding and repair yards, and ice plant and cold storage facility for processing and preservation of fish.