Paradip Port Trust (PPT) Chairman Rinkesh Roy, addressing a Press meet on the PPT foundation day on Thursday announced the commencement of dredging operations at the Mahanadi river mouth. This work would be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore through a dredging firm, Reach Dredging Limited, Kolkata.
It may be noted that a major fishery harbour is operational at Paradip located in the right bank of Mahanadi about 1 km upstream of the river mouth. This harbour is presently managed by the State Fisheries Department. The local fishing community has been facing difficulties as the river mouth has been silted up over the years and their vessels face hindrance to navigate during approach and exit from the harbour. The Mahanadi mouth was last dredged almost 20 years back.
The PPT Chairman informed reporters that there is a narrow window period between January and February to complete the work smoothly in tranquil conditions; and the PPT has set a target of February for the contractor to finish the work.
The Ministry of Shipping has approved implementation of the dredging work with the internal resources of the port. It is hoped that the prolonged woes of the fishing community would finally end due to the PPT’s initiative.