Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 18: District-in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj launched the new beach cleaning machine worth Rs 75 lac here on Saturday September 17.

After inaugurating the new machine, minister Madhwaraj said, “Udupi coastal people are blessed with good beach. Rs 75 lac was released from Challenge fund of government of Karnataka to buy this machine. I have utilized nearly Rs 10.42 crores in last three years for the development of beach.”

“In a recent meeting of fisheries department, held in Bengaluru, we decided to give first preference for developing Malpe beach and likewise allotted funds for it.Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned to Malpe beach committee to develop water sports and install 15 new huts in the beach. A waiting depot will be set up at St Mary's Island and a welcome arch will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore at the beach entrance. Parking areas will be also developed,” added minister.

“Padukere bridge at a cost of Rs 13 crores will be completed soon. We need to create awareness on cleanliness at beaches and public places. A jetty will get completed soon which would connect transport directly to St Mary's island.” he said.

Udupi district has a long 120 kilometer stretch of coastline on the Arabian Sea with beautiful and popular beaches such as Padubidri beach, Yermal beach, Muloor beach, Kaup beach, Malpe beach, Kodibengre beach, Bijadi beach, Kodi beach, Trasi beach, Maravanthe beach, Someshwar beach, Ottinene beach etc, which attract the thousands of tourist.

Function of beach cleaning machine

Beach cleaning machine works by collecting sand by way of a scoop or drag mechanism and then raking or sifting anything large enough to be considered foreign matter, including sticks, stones, rubbish, syringes, seaweeds, algae and other items. The beach cleaner machine effectively removes even the smallest materials like cigarette butts, pop tops, straws, plastics small shells, glass etc, which are eliminated from the beach sand. The beach cleaner machine has the capability of cleaning 20 acres per day.

The beach cleaner machine will help in reducing the bacterial level in beach sand which is caused by the natural debris and animal waste which saves marine life and prevents the illness. The beach cleaner machine removes only the unwanted debris and not the sand which helps in creating a clean, beautiful and safe beach for the visitors.

Eco friendly machine

The beach cleaner machine has a low ground pressure and is eco friendly which does not harm or affect the environment. It not only works in both wet and dry land, but can be used in the water till the depth of 9 inch.
The beach cleaner offers high-quality products that are equipped with the patented raking, screening and mixing technology.

It works on three modes,

• Raking Technique Surface cleaning only on wet sand / dry sand or hard ground
• Screening technique for wet and dry sand in depth cleaning
• Both combined raking and screening technique