Lok Sabha Question No. 3929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Dredging Work for Safety of  Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3929 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2026

## Dredging Work for Safety of Fishermen

## †3929.  Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai :

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that tenders were issued for dredging work for the safety of fishermen and smooth movement of boats at Vanakwara and Port in Diu, but the work has not been started;
- (b) if so, the date of notification, estimated cost and the main reasons (financial/ environmental/dispute) for not starting the work yet;
- (c) whether the construction work of the proposed Harbour (Fisheries Port Development Project) for Bankwara Fisheries Port has not been started yet;
- (d) if so, the total sanctioned cost and financial source (Centre/UT/PMMSY) of the said project and the status of Detailed Project Report;
- (e) whether any agency/officer has been held accountable for the reasons for delay in the project;
- (f)  whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  provide  temporary  alternative  jetties/channel  dredging facilities to the affected fishermen; and
- (g) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (b): The dredging works at Vanakbara Fishing Harbour and Diu Port were accorded inprinciple  approval  during  FY  2018-2019 by  the  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and Waterways (MoPSW). The  U.T.  Administration  reported  that  tenders  for  dredging  works  at  Vanakbara Fishing Harbour and Diu Port were published on 06.03.2024 at estimated costs of ₹80.28 crore and  ₹81.34  crore  respectively.  However,  the  tenders  could  not  be  finalised  by  the  U.T. Administration. Subsequently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) desanctioned the project on 04.06.2024. Thereafter, the U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu submitted a proposal to MoPSW seeking administrative approval for dredging works at Vanakbara Fishing Harbour and Diu Port under the Sagarmala Scheme. However, the Sagarmala Scheme is co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission cycle and at present there is no fiscal space available under the scheme.

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(c) to (e): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India on 04th September, 2024 approved the proposal of the U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu for development of a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Vanakbara, Diu in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu at a cost of Rs. 128.86 crore with 100% Central financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The project is implemented by the U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The U.T. Administration has reported that during the initial  tender  process  only  one  agency  was  found  qualified  due  to  which  the  work  was  retendered. The second tender was opened on 29.10.2025. However, the financial bid received exceeded the approved cost of the project.

(f): The U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu has reported that the dredging activities are planned in a manner that does not affect fishing operations.

(g): Does not arise.

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