Chinese net renovation project in Fort Kochi hits a roadblock

Kerala Tourism’s decade-old task to renovate the 11 Chinese sportfishing nets that adorn the Fort Kochi beachfront remains acold from completion.

With hardly six months near for the tourer play to begin, concerns are mounting that visitors whitethorn erstwhile again miss the accidental to spot the iconic nets successful operation. Stakeholders fearfulness that the continued uncertainty implicit replacing the woody logs, nets and different components could dependable the decease knell for the ₹2.40-crore project, which was expected to springiness Fort Kochi an representation makeover.

Expressing interest implicit the prolonged delay, a nett relation said the task could person been completed astatine slightest 2 years agone but for bureaucratic reddish portion that held up the outgo of conscionable implicit ₹5 lakh to a squad of workers who undertook preparatory renovation enactment nether challenging conditions.

Sebastian Kurishinkal, president of the Fort Kochi Chinese Net Owners’ Association, said helium hoped Kerala Tourism, which is backing the initiative, and KITCO, the implementing agency, would expedite money disbursal and the procurement of nets and allied materials. “Otherwise, the agelong wood teak logs and different woody materials stacked adjacent the formation whitethorn get damaged. The nets readied by Matsyafed implicit a twelvemonth agone besides look akin risks,” helium said.

Livelihood affected

The hold has besides affected the livelihood of much than 100 fishermen who run the nets, each of which requires 12 fishermen moving successful 2 shifts. “We anticipation the indispensable funds are released and materials procured astatine slightest this month, arsenic the exemplary codification of behaviour for the Assembly elections, which is expected soon, could further hold the process,” helium added.

Responding to the concerns, sources successful Kerala Tourism said the hold occurred due to the fact that administrative authorisation for the task had to beryllium reissued successful December 2025. “This required caller agreements to beryllium signed. Steps are present being taken to manus implicit the nets to the operators and renovate the platforms from which the fishermen work,” the sources said.

Amid uncertainty implicit the renovation, astir operators person replaced the damaged teak logs supporting the nets with robust pipes, affecting the accepted aesthetics of the Chinese sportfishing nets.