Dist admn invites suggestions on dredging in estuary

In fact, the dredging work is the result of the demand by the fishermen of Mangalore. It may be recalled that the local fishermen had staged a protest and had demanded dredging near South Break Water in the mouth of Netravati and Gurupur rivers when the GMR Energy Limited shifted its Barge Mounted Power Plant from Tannirbavi to Kakinada in March this year. Accordingly, the then Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj had directed the GMR Energy Limited to carry out the dredging in the identified area as demanded by the fishermen by deploying suitable dredger after the monsoon season.

A press release from the GMR Energy Limited stated that the dredged material is being disposed off in deep waters as directed by the Port Officer. The dredger, which is a self-propelled machine, has a self contained GPS for accurate navigation. It is also equipped with Echo Sounder to gauge the depth at the location it is working.

The officials of the Port and Fisheries department had conducted a joint inspection along with fishermen representatives on December 16 and 24, the release stated and added that if any person has any queries or any suggestions in this regard, they are requested to bring it to the notice of the district administration.