The new arrangements at the Kasimedu fishing harbour last weekend have helped reduce crowding at the place and there has been a positive feedback from fishermen and customers. The fisheries department and Greater Chennai Corporation have decided to continue it till the number of positive Covid-19 cases drop. CHENNAI: The new arrangements at the Kasimedu fishing harbour last weekend have helped reduce crowding at the place and there has been a positive feedback from fishermen and customers. The fisheries department and Greater Chennai Corporation have decided to continue it till the number of positive Covid-19 cases drop. A Balaraman, a vendor in Kasimedu, welcomed the new arrangements. Usually, he said, crowds start arriving at the harbour since Friday night. Fishermen with their catch, wholesale and retail buyers together mean that as many as 50,000 people congregate from Friday night to Saturday morning. Now, the fishermen with their catch and wholesale buyers are allowed in the area from 10pm to 5am. By 6am, the retailI fish trade begins and the buyers are allowed to enter, he said.
Appreciating the work of the corporation health team which is conducting the vaccination camp in the harbour area, Balaraman said the team members diligently checked the temperature of every person coming into the harbour area. South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association President K Bharathi said at least 8,000 people came to the harbour every day. This includes boat drivers, boat owners, helpers who clean the boats, and wholesale and retail fish vendors. Of this, nearly 80% have been vaccinated, he said. Several fishermen and their family members have volunteered to get themselves vaccinated after awareness camps were conducted on the importance of getting jabs, he said. “The members of the corporation health team who are camping in the harbour are doing a good job and the vaccination camp is continuing till today,” Bharathi said.
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