Mangrol in Junagadh district is all set to become one of the two fishing harbours in India offering facilities and standard which can match the import criteria laid by the European Union. The other model harbour is in Orissa.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has extended funds and expertise to develop these two harbours as model ports having international standard facilities.

It is essential for the state’ Rs 1,200 crore turnover sea food industry to upgrade to EU standard. At present, not a single harbour in the state can qualify EU norms. If the situation persists, the state industry may be blacklisted any time soon.

The upgradation of Mangrol to a model port is seen by fishermen as a ray of hope for expanding their business in a modern way and through clean harbours across the state.

The Rs 6.15-crore upgradation project includes 10 sub-projects aimed at the overall development of the harbour aimed at fetching export deals for local fishermen.

Work on the project will be executed in two phases and began on Friday when Gujarat Maritime Board started carpeting the harbour area. “Our target is to complete the first phase – consisting of six sub-projects –by next April,” said Mangrol GMB executive Engineer S P Shah. The first phase involves upgradation of infrastructure, while the second will involve expansion of the port and training programs for the fishermen.

The FAO is providing expertise at each level. An FAO team of civil engineers is expected to arrive at Mangrol next week to provide further guidelines. The team last visited the place in November 2008.

Yard flooring, renovation of auction hall, construction of compound wall, carpeting of approach road to the boat parking area, and water and drainage supply are the main projects to be executed in the first phase. The wooden doors will be replaced by fibre ones and the flooring will have a zinc coating to make the auction hall an insect-free zone.

The water supply project includes bringing water to wash marine catch from three wells located 600 meters away. Besides, the new drainage system will assure removal of refuse water in a safe manner outside the port area to keep the harbour clean.

The second phase mainly includes acquisition of land to expand the port area and the construction of a new auction hall. “The training about safe and clean management of marine products will be imparted to fishermen by the FAO team,” said Shah.