Ernakulam: Chief Minister Pinarayi VIjayan on Monday presented the Chellanam fishing harbor to the people through online.

He CM opined that the harbor will directly provide employment to 9,000 people and indirectly to 13,000 people associated with the industry.

The harbor was built at a cost of Rs 50 crore. Chellanam, Maruvakkad, Kandekkadavu, Kannamali and Cheriya Kadavu fishing villages in Ernakulam will benefit from the harbor. Moreover, there will be a 500 ton increase in fish production.

The harbor was built using only state government funds. Administrative sanction for the project was given during the previous LDF government. The construction work restarted after the present LDF government came to power and now it has been completed, the CM said.

The project was initiated considering the safety of the coastal community. The Chellanam fishing harbor was designed under the leadership of Harbour Engineering Group. The government has undertaken many development projects to improve the Kerala coast including non-traditional coastal safety and construction of coastal roads, the CM added.

Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma presided over the function. MLAs K. J. Maxi and John Fernandez and Fisheries Secretary Tinku Biswal were among those present.