Paradip, Oct. 21: Authorities have drawn elaborate plans to make the fishing harbour here conducive to hassle-free sea-fishing.

The harbour basin area close to the Mahanadi river mouth has caused headlines with regular capsize incidents and human causalities, forcing the authorities to draw up the project that is estimated to cost Rs 6.7 crore.

The basin has not been dredged since 2000, causing fishing trawlers to face regular turbulence as the vessels crash against the uneven underwater surface, including sand dunes, resulting in mid-water accidents. At least seven incidents of boats capsising have been reported since January 2016, resulting in the death of six crew members, said marine fisheries personnel.

Executive engineer (fisheries engineering) Nalini kanta Padhee, said: "Sand casting has turned the harbour basin into a danger zone. The basin has also become shallow and this causes problems in smooth navigation. At present, the basin's depth plunges to one metre during low tide, while it is three metres during high tide. A depth of 3.5 metres is a must for safe navigation. This compels marine fishermen to wait for the water level to rise during high tides before undertaking sea voyages."

Padhee said they will shortly begin dredging the basin and approach channel to ensure safe fishing voyages.

"We have completed the tender process for the Rs 6.7-crore project and it will begin in the first week of November," he said.

"The state government is funding the dredging project on the harbour basin. We have also sought central funds for dredging the Mahanadi river mouth because it requires at least Rs 50 crore. We have brought the matter to the notice of the Centre's National Fisheries Development Board. We have also sought assistance from the Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery and urged the Paradip Port Trust to take up dredging of the river mouth," Padhee added.

The fishing harbour, commissioned in 1998, has earned the distinction of being the state's largest exporter of marine produces - mainly sea fish. An estimated 3,500 tonnes of high-grade shrimps are exported to European countries every year from here. The annual shrimp export turnover from the harbour is close to Rs 150 crore, accounting for over 40 per cent of the state's annual shrimp export.