Amid protest against the slow progress of removing the accumulated sand from the mouth of the Muthalapozhy harbour channel, the State government has cut open the sandbar, which prevented the water trapped behind the bar from entering the sea.
It is expected that water from five neighbouring panchayats will drain into the sea in two days. The accumulated sand at the mouth of the harbour has been posing a challenge to fishers in the region with fishing vessels trapped inside the harbour.
Following protest
Four excavators, dredgers, tippers, etc., were operational to remove the accumulated sand. In addition, two more excavators and a large dredger from Kannur were brought to the spot to cut open the sandbar. The decision to remove the sand urgently was taken at a meeting of Ministers following a protest by a section of fishers and Opposition outfits.
Removing the sandbar was also highly essential for the State government as it was getting ready to implement a ₹177-crore project for the development of the Muthalapozhy fishing harbour. The Union government had approved the project, and the State has initiated the tender procedures.
Published – April 25, 2025 09:24 pm IST
