Chinese net renovation project in Fort Kochi hits a roadblock

Kerala Tourism’s decade-old project to renovate the 11 Chinese fishing nets that adorn the Fort Kochi beachfront remains far from completion.

With barely six months left for the tourist season to begin, concerns are mounting that visitors may once again miss the opportunity to see the iconic nets in operation. Stakeholders fear that the continued uncertainty over replacing the wooden logs, nets and other components could sound the death knell for the ₹2.40-crore project, which was expected to give Fort Kochi an image makeover.

Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, a net operator said the project could have been completed at least two years ago but for bureaucratic red tape that held up the payment of just over ₹5 lakh to a team of workers who undertook preparatory renovation work under challenging conditions.

Sebastian Kurishinkal, president of the Fort Kochi Chinese Net Owners’ Association, said he hoped Kerala Tourism, which is funding the initiative, and KITCO, the implementing agency, would expedite fund disbursal and the procurement of nets and allied materials. “Otherwise, the long forest teak logs and other wooden materials stacked near the beach may get damaged. The nets readied by Matsyafed over a year ago also face similar risks,” he said.

Livelihood affected

The delay has also affected the livelihood of more than 100 fishermen who operate the nets, each of which requires 12 fishermen working in two shifts. “We hope the necessary funds are released and materials procured at least this month, as the model code of conduct for the Assembly elections, which is expected soon, could further delay the process,” he added.

Responding to the concerns, sources in Kerala Tourism said the delay occurred because administrative sanction for the project had to be reissued in December 2025. “This required fresh agreements to be signed. Steps are now being taken to hand over the nets to the operators and renovate the platforms from which the fishermen work,” the sources said.

Amid uncertainty over the renovation, most operators have replaced the damaged teak logs supporting the nets with iron pipes, affecting the traditional aesthetics of the Chinese fishing nets.