Dredging at Muthalapozhi to resume in two weeks

Activities were stopped by middle of June due to equipment failure

- ASWIN ASOK KUMAR @T'Puram

THE Muthalapozhi harbour mouth had been a point of concern for fishermen for the last few years. Though the new harbour project was launched early this month, the dredging activities were stopped by mid-June due to equipment failure. In view of the recent incidents of boat capsizing, authorities confirm that dredging will resume within two weeks.

"An equipment part named spud, which holds the dredger firm to the seabed, was broken, and we are now looking for alternate options," the harbour's assistant executive engineer, Rakesh M S, told TNIE. Mentioning that only high-end dredgers can withstand the waves here, he added that dredgers with heavy anchors cannot be used here as it will affect the entry of boats to the harbour.