NIOT seeks Rs 50 lakh for Pozhiyoor harbour cost reduction study

T'puram: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has demanded Rs 50.5 lakh from the harbour engineering department to carry out a study on the possible ways to reduce the cost of the proposed Pozhiyoor fishing harbour.NIOT wants Rs 10 lakh to be paid in advance, with the remaining amount payable after completing the study and submitting the report. The remaining amount need not be given if the study fails to find solutions. The project's estimated cost was Rs 343 crore, but the Union fisheries ministry termed the cost high and asked NIOT to explore ways to bring it below Rs 200 crore.Following this, there was a discussion between the officials of NIOT and the harbour engineering department. During the discussion, NIOT officials raised demands to proceed with the study.If a favourable decision is taken, the harbour engineering department will sign an MoU with NIOT on the rules and regulations to be followed. Once the pact is signed, a five-member team from NIOT will arrive in the district to carry out the study, which will last for three months.The harbour engineering department is yet to make a final decision. "Once we get the govt's consent, the pact will be signed. The expert team will focus on efficient planning, design and execution by considering innovative technologies, risk-based inspections and ways to reduce labour and material costs," informed an official. "The team is considering the possibility of using alternative materials instead of rocks for the breakwaters," the officer said.The department informed that the central ministry wants to bring the cost below Rs 200 crore and approval would be given only if the cost was reduced. Once the ministry approves the project, the state's second largest harbour will be constructed on a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio by the central and state govts, respectively. The project's DPR was already approved by the state fisheries department months ago.The project will benefit thousands of fishers residing in Pozhiyoor, Poovar, Karimkulam, Kochuthura, Puthiyathura, Pallam and Pulluvila.In addition to the construction of breakwaters, another 15 components, such as a fish landing facility, auction hall, roads, wharf, street lights, toilet complex, etc., were also included in the project. NIOT expert team will examine all components of the project independently for overall cost reduction, added the officer.