Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (SN/CN)

Mangalore, Dec 28: The dredging work will be completed within three months at the old port to help the fishermen, said Krishna J Palemar, district in-charge minister.

Speaking to press persons Palemar said that the dredging work is being carried out from the past 13 days, but the progress is slow. The authorities have been told to take necessary steps to complete the work immediately, he informed.

The government has sanctioned Rs 1.83 crore for dredging work. The work of removing 90, 000 cubic meter silt and disposing it 12 kms away from the seashore has been undertaken by Meens Infrastructure, Mumbai, said Palemar.

Seventeen loads of silt are being carried each day and this indicates the slow progress of the work. Removing silt from every place in the old port with the sanctioned funds is not possible, more funds will need to be sanctioned in the coming days, he said.

The fishermen insist on removal of silt from Alive Bagilu, but it is not possible with the dredging machine used at present. Steps have been taken to remove the steel boat submerged at Alive Bagilu to avoid further such incidents, he said.

Mayor Ganesh Hosabettu, and Captain Mohan Kudri were present on the occasion.