Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SN/SP)

Kundapur, Mar 30: The dredging work at Gangolli mini port near here had been taken up after protracted discussions with the companies involved, but  the work has been suspended again for the second time. Thus, the sufferings of the local fishermen, who had a ray of hope of an early end to their problems, have has been shattered.

The dredging work was undertaken by the Abhay Ocean India Limited(AOI), Mumbai and Meens Infra  Company. In spite of having installed the required equipments, misunderstanding between the companies delayed the start of the dredging work initially.

The Meens Infra Company had cornered the main contract and since the it did not have  the silt removal equipments, it later joined hands with the Hab Company of Mumbai. The Hab Company supplied the necessary equipments and started the dredging work. AOI disapproved the action of hiring Hab Comapny without consulting it. As the internal misunderstandings escalated between AOI and Meens Infra Company, the Hab company workers were not paid their wages and hence they stopped functioning.

The state government  then intervened in the matter and asked its officials to entrust all the dredging work to Hab Company and extend all facilities to it  so that the work is completed soon and the problems of the fishermen would come to an end.

The Hab Company is   faced a  loss of Rs 34 lac as ithas not been paid anything for the work conducted since March 13. The company said, non-payment of its bills by the state government has eaten into its finances and that it is not in a position to incur further losses.  Hence, all the equipments, employees including the infrastructure will be moved back to Mumbai with immediate effect, said Capt Aravindan of the  Hab company speaking at the media persons.