A pilot project for demonstrating the communication technology for the benefit of coastal fishing community, viz "Shore to Fishing Vessel Communication System", under the Marine Instrumentation Programme was continued during 96-97.

Shore stations in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and South Goa were operated, maintained and serviced. The systems were handed over to the respective State Govts. for the continued operation and maintenance. The walkie-talkie sets and the shore station equipment which were returned by Govt. of Kerala were distributed to the fishermen of six shore stations in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Phase-II of the Shore to Fishing Vessel Communication System envisaging establishment of shore stations in 10 places viz. Shankapur and Frasergunj in West Bengal; Paradeep and Chandipur in Orissa ; Sasoon Dock and Mirkarwada in Maharashtra; Salegao in North Goa; Marine Hill-Port Blair in A & N Islands; Periya Veerampattinam in Pondicherry and Minicoy in Lakshadaweep, was initiated. The formalities for identfying a suitable firm for implementation of this programme were finalised and work was awarded to M/s Punjab Wireless Systems Ltd., Chandigarh. SAMEER-Centre for Electromagnetics, under the Department of Electronics was chosen as the consultancy agency for providing the requisite services to DOD for site survey, inspection of the equipment proposed to be supplied by M/s Punwire, quality control, testing and installation and commissioning of the systems at the aforesaid places,construction of the shore station building, erection of the tower, supply of walkie-talkies are expected to be completed by March 1997 and made operational.

The project to be implmeneted involving a total outlay of Rs 325 lakh is expected to benefit 1350 fishermen families in the above mentioned places.