Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Sep 23: State fisheries minister Anand V Asnotikar said, that a sum of two crore rupees has already been sanctioned for the purpose of de-silting the Gangolli estuary. It may be recalled, that the estuary has been clogged with the accumulation of sand over a couple of decades and the several boats and fishermen have been lost after getting stuck in the sand at the estuary since the last few years.

The minister informed, that Means Infrastructure Copmpany Mumabai has been awarded the dredging contract after the tender process and that the company has been asked to begin work within 20 days. He was speaking during his visit to Gangolli on Sunday September 21, after hearing the grievances of the fishermen who explained, that the accumulation of the sand at the estuary has severely affected fishing activities and accounted for several lives and boats apart from rendering the newly built dock useless. Fishermens' Union presidnt Naga Kharvi led the fishermen while Byndoor MLA K Lakshminarayan urged the minister to provide a lasting solution to the decades-old problem of the local fishermen.

On his arrival, fishermen leaders, BJP local unit president Ramappa Kharvi and other local leaders accorded a warm welcome to the minister.  Kundapur sub-divisional officer K N Ramesh, fisheries department director H S Veerappa Gowda, joint director Gangadhar V Maddikeri, deputy director Harish Kumar, engineers Gopal Naik, Nayaranappa, N M Kharvi etc., were present.