Paradip, June 24: The sea has triggered landslides over an 100 square metre area threatening to destroy the fishing harbour here.
The sea has been wreaking havoc ever since the strategic structural portion of the jetty at the confluence of the sea and the Mahanadi had suffered damage on at least two occasions. The concrete structure had collapsed during Phailin on November 16, 2013. The enfeebled structure had caved in again on August 7 last year, posing erosion threat to the Paradip fisheries harbour, widely regarded as Odisha's largest marine produce hub.
The collapse of the jetty structure had occurred more than a year ago. However, the government agencies have failed to act on time in preventing further damage to it. The non-repair of the damaged jetty has endangered the adjoining fishing harbour. The 50-metre long damaged structure is located near the confluence point. The fish catch from the fishing vessels and crafts are unloaded at the point.
With the structural damage caused to the jetty, the harbour is being exposed to erosion, said Odisha Trawler Owners' Association president Sumant Kumar Biswal.
The northern portion of the harbour has become susceptible to erosion. Officials of fisheries engineering department have been directed to make an on-the-spot study of the erosion-hit areas.
The erosion-hit areas need to be plugged at the earliest to protect the harbour, said additional district magistrate of Paradip Rama Krushna Sahu.
Refurbishment of the damaged fish landing jetty could not be undertaken because of its location near the turbulent seawaters. As it is a confluence point of sea and river, the velocity of current is pronounced at the structure site. To prevent further damage, building of the sea wall has been undertaken. However, the construction has set off erosion in other places of the harbour.
Technical assistance of the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, which handles dock and harbour construction, has been sought, said an official of the fisheries engineering department.
