BHADRAK: It is boom time for the over 5000 families of Bhadrak district who eke out a living through fishing at the Dhamra fishing harbour. The Agriculture ministry has sanctioned Rs. 13.10 crore for upgradation of the harbour to international standards for better fishing and export facilities.Dhamra harbour office sources said modernisation work started last year and work of Rs. 6.22 crore has already been assigned to contractors through tender. Secretary for Fishery and Animal Husbandry Satyabrata Sahoo reviewed the work on Thursday.The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Organisation had selected two harbours in India -- Mangol in Gujarat and Dhamra in Orissa -- to be upgraded to international standards in 2007. It was decided to provide required funds to develop infrastructure and modern technology to make the harbour clean, green and hygienic to sustain a good international market of marine fish, Dhamra Harbour Manager Anup Sahoo said.The FAO will provide the technical support and funds will be spent on infrastructure, including fishermen gear shed, fishermen rest shed, restaurant, auction hall, sewerage treatment plant and radio communication centre. Besides, modernised hygienic ice factory would be constructed. All civil construction works have started and are expected to be completed by May 2012, informed the District Fishery Officer, Pratap Eka. Nearly five workshops to train the fishermen, boatmen and other workers on hygienic treatment during fishing, preserving and trading was conducted at Dhamra by FAO, Eka said.A team from European Food and Animal husbandry countries will visit the harbour on November 15 to review the hygiene condition and the progress in the upgradation work, the DFO added.
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