Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Aug 29: Accumulation of sediment at Kody-Gangolli estuary area has been creating a lot of problems for the fishermen. During the last season, three fisheries boats met with accidents at this split. As the task of dredging has not been undertaken yet, the fishermen continue to be worried about manoeuvring their boats at this spot.

Sand from Panchagangavali rivulet directly gets emptied at the Gangolli estuary located between Kody and Gangolli. Sand gets accumulated there with several sand blocks having been formed. There is also the fear that the very course of the river might be shifted. Because of the sand that has been accumulated at several spots of the estuary, tragedies are happening. Boats moving from Gangolli port and Kody are facing a lot of problems. The sand which was displaced during the Gangolli breakwater work has not yet been removed. Moreover, it has been several years since sand was removed from there.

In the project cost of breakwater work implemented here, cost of desilting at the jetty and estuary area is included. However, this work has not been undertaken so far. Since many years, the fishermen have urged successive governments to undertake dredging but nothing has been done. The fishermen of Kody and Gangolli have pleaded with the state government to remove the accumulated sediment immediately.

Ganesh K, acting joint director for port and fisheries department, Udupi, said that a survey has been conducted about dredging and the report will be sent to the government. He said that as it is, the department does not have any pending proposal about undertaking desilting work at Gangolli.