GMR bows to fishermen’s demand
The company took to shifting the barge without clearing the silt
GMR Barge mount, which set its foot in Dakshina Kannada in 2000 amidst fierce opposition from fishermen, is all set to leave the district with yet another fiction.
The company had dredged the estuary mouth at old port to make way for movement of the barge and had deposited silt right at the mount of the estuary, which had blocked movement of boats of local fishermen.
The fishermen had requested the company to clear off the silt from the mouth to which the company had agreed.
But early on Friday morning, the company took to shifting the barge clandestinely without clearing the silt.
Enraged fishermen in as many as 65 boats picketed the barge mount, which was being shifted from Tannirbavi to Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh at Kudroli.
The fishermen put forth a condition that the barge will be allowed to move from the spot only after the company took steps to shift the silt from the spot.
Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj held day-long meeting in two rounds to resolve the issue.
GMR Energy Group Chairman (Business) B V N Rao and Director K V B Rao and other higher officials ultimately bowed down to the demand of the fishermen.
They agreed to start the dredging and silt clearance work on Friday itself.
