Fishermen demand GMR to dredge silt mound

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 12: The association of fishermen today blocked the move out  of naptha-fired 220 mw barge mounted power plant to Kakinada from Thaneerbavi near old port of Mangalore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is said that, the fishermen had opposed, when the barge mounted project  arrived in 2002. The barge mounted project had began production in 2003 and its seven year long license expired on January 2010.

The fishermen alleged that,  because of barge mounted project in Taneerbavi the barmouth of Gurupur river had been blocked due to silt formation and this was causing accidents involving fishing vessels. The fishermen who blocked the exit with their fishing vessels, told that, they would not allow the barge to be moved out unless the company undertakes the dredging of the bar mouth and make it safe for the fishing vessels.

As the company official began moving the barge, neglecting the demands of fishermen, they gathered for an agitation.

When situation at the plant went out of the hand, the district administration and police intervened to solve the matter and a meeting has been arranged in this regard.

Some of the leaders from fishermen back lashed to accept the proposal kept by the directors of GMR company to reserve money for dredging. They threatened to hold protest until their demand for dredging is solved. At this time, DC, Ponnuraj, mediated and said about using the services of the private operators undertaking dredging at the NMPT.