Minister promises 20-hour dredging to clear sandbar at Muthalapozhi harbour mouth

Thiruvananthapuram: The crucial meeting held by state govt on Wednesday evening with the fishermen to resolve the deadlock over sand accumulation at the harbour mouth at Muthalapozhi failed to reach a consensus.

While fisheries minister Saji Cherian stated that the sand accumulated at the harbour mouth will be removed from Thursday, using modern dredging equipment, the protestors expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the govt was implementing measures that should have been taken months ago.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the minister said with Kerala Maritime Board's dredgers joining the operation, the state govt will intensify efforts to remove sand. The dredging, currently limited to 10 hours a day, will now be extended to 20 hours. The sand will be deposited on the right side of the harbour mouth.

The minister also stated that the govt was considering compensation for fishermen who will be unable to work during this period. The work is expected to be completed within 20 days. He added that construction works on the existing fishing harbour at Muthalapozhi will begin on May 20.

Meanwhile, the protestors criticised the govt's proposals as temporary fixes and emphasised that the decision on whether to cut open the harbour mouth should be made in consultation with the local people. If the sand bar is not cleared on a war footing, there is high concern over flooding in nearby panchayats, including Varkala, Chirayinkeezhu, Kadakkavoor, Anchuthengu and Azhoor, the representatives said in the meeting