Dredging work to resume at Muthalapozhi as protest ends

Thiruvananthapuram: As protests over halting dredging work at Muthalapozhi ended following successful talks between the agitators and district administration, the dredging will begin on Monday.

After a detailed discussion with district collector Anu Kumari, the protest committee decided to withdraw the agitation, citing the meeting as constructive and solution-oriented.

Binu Peter, convener of the protest committee, confirmed that dredging operations would resume from Monday and that district administration accepted key demands raised by the committee. The authorities assured that dredging would be carried out with ample time and care, and steps would be taken to prevent unnecessary delays, said Peter. One of the main reasons for the delay in dredging was the contract expiry of the dredger brought in from Chettuva.

Officials said that the agreement would be renewed and the same dredger would be put back into operation without further delays. The committee was also assured that the dredgers currently lying idle would be repaired and made operational. Excavators found to be in usable condition will also begin functioning from Monday. Repairs will be undertaken immediately to those that aren't operational. In the interim, at least one working excavator will be deployed so that work doesn't come to a standstill.

Another major concern regarding timely removal of dredged sand was also addressed. The authorities agreed that the removed sand must be transported without delay. If Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation's barge was unavailable, private alternatives could be used to ensure timely transport. Discussions are also ongoing with Chettuva MLA to bring in another barge for the purpose. The administration also directed that all sand transported from the site be properly documented and reported weekly. The first such report is expected to be submitted to the collector by May 22.