The fishing harbour in Paradip. Telegraph picture

Paradip, July 14: The revamp plan of the fishing harbour here has made a tardy progress. A sizeable chunk of funds sanctioned by the Union agriculture ministry for the makeover plan has also remained unspent.

Sanitation and hygiene standards of the harbour has gone from bad to worse as Rs 4.75 crore grants released in this regard could not be put to optimum use. Lack of infrastructure and funds constraints for periodic maintenance had led to the decline in the sanitation standards of the harbour.

The state’s major exporting centre of marine fish produce faced threat of export ban by international fisheries bodies because of lack of infrastructure.

The funds released by the National Fisheries Development Board are being spent in a phased manner for infrastructure development of the fishing harbour. In the first phase of the revamp, the fish auction hall is being renovated.

“Work that got under way last year is more than 50 per cent complete. We expect it to be finished within next six months,” said marine Fisheries officer Ranjit Dash.

The auction hall is the most vital component of the harbour as trading of fish produce takes place at the hall. It was in poor shape in the past. Recently, it has got a facelift. Emphasis has been laid on modernising the sewerage system of the harbour. Storage facilities for the fish produce are also being enhanced. An advanced effluent treatment plant is also being installed to keep areas in and around the harbour clean.

“We have prioritised the revamp work of the harbour to meet the European Union’s hygiene specifications on export of marine produces. The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery, which develops fishery harbours and brackish water shrimp farms across the country, is providing technical expertise for the infrastructure development project,” the official said.