Fishing boat capsizes at Muthalapozhi again

Thiruvananthapuram: A fishing boat ferrying 11 fishermen overturned at Muthalapozhi estuary on Monday morning, causing all the occupants to fall into the sea. However, all of them were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The boat, owned by Shakeer from Poothura, encountered the accident early in the morning due to rough waves.
The incident took place around 6.30am while the fishermen were trying to retrieve nets that had fallen into the sea from the boat.As a result, everyone on board fell into the water. One person was immediately rescued and rushed to the hospital, followed by the rescue of the remaining fishermen. They were all taken to Chirayinkeezhu taluk hospital, where their health condition is reported to be stable.
This accident comes just a day after another incident happened at Muthalapozhi on Sunday. Anaz, 36, of Nedumkandam, Jijo, 39, of Poothura, and Vijeesh, of Odisha, met with the accident around 8pm at the same spot. The boat, named Velankanni, was owned by Lijo of Poothura. The three individuals involved in Sunday’s accident were also injured and are currently receiving treatment at Chirayinkeezhu taluk hospital.
In May this year, the state minority commission held a special sitting to address the issues related to the frequent accidents occurring in Muthalapozhi. The commission has also registered a suo motu case and summoned officials from various departments, including the fisheries department, harbour engineering department, and coastal police.
The Central Water and Power Research Station in Pune was tasked by the state govt earlier to perform a comprehensive analysis and propose a lasting resolution to the incidents taking place at the estuary of the Muthalapozhi fishing harbour. This decision was made in response to an order issued by the govt.
The agency submitted its conclusive study report, which included a project proposal with a cost of Rs 164 crore. The plan encompasses the extension of the breakwater and aims to enhance the fishing harbour’s infrastructure. The report was presented to the Union govt for approval under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme. However, the approval process is still pending, and no decision has been made yet regarding the implementation of the proposed project.