The Kerala government has given utmost importance to waterways as part of developing coastal shipping in the State, Minister of Ports K. Babu has said.

The State has initiated steps to introduce a coastal shipping policy for the movement of goods through waters. As part of encouraging coastal transportation, he said, the government will provide incentives to users in this sector.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Kerala Institute of Hydrography and Advanced Studies at Kerala Fisheries University campus in Panangad near here.

Affirming that the government is fully committed to the development of water transportation in the State, the Minister said work on the national waterway from Kottappuram to Kovalam would be completed soon.

The State government is at present carrying out cargo movement from Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Ponnani, Beypore and Azhikal through the waterways, he added.

As part of developing the waterways, Chinese nets in the waters will be removed and the fishermen will be compensated. The licensed Chinese net owners will be given Rs 2 lakh and unlicensed net owners will get Rs 1 lakh as compensation.

Referring to the proposed sea plane project, he said that the hydrographic survey at Ashtamudi, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Bolghatty and Bekkal had been completed.

He pointed out that hydrographic studies are necessary to extend cargo transportation through waterways in more areas. Hydrographic surveys in the State are gaining importance considering the importance of waterways development.

According to the Minister, a new institute called Kerala Institute of Hydrograpic and Advanced Studies Centre will be opened soon in view of the growing importance of research in this field.

sajeevkumar.v@thehindu.co.in

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