Bantwal: Dredging work has been started at Thumbay vented dam to remove the accumulated silt here. The work is conducted done under the leadership of mines and geology department with around 500 loads of sand having been already collected in the vicinity of the dam.
In the first phase, permission has been given for the removal of silt at a cost of Rs 2.90 crore and the project has been formed under the special grant from the deputy commissioner. The sand obtained in the process will be used for government as well as private works inform sources.
Nelco Company from Delhi has been given the main contract of dredging while the sub-contract from Nelco has been given to private individuals of Mangaluru.
The dredging machine employed for this project has the capacity to lift 100 cubic meters of silt per hour and a 125 KV capacity generator has been installed at the site to face any power-related issue. The machine will be covering an area of 4 acres. The team working on the project includes an expert team of labourers, who have handled similar jobs in Cochin and Odisha.
In order to desist any illegal trafficking of sand, a fence has been put up around the area where the sand is being stored. CCTV cameras have been also installed at the entrance and other areas along with the appointment of security personnel.
The dredging machine is floating on a mechanized boat and the silt along with the water is being filters through a huge pit that has been made nearby. in the process, the water flows out of the pit along with the silt while pure sand gets accumulated at the base of the pit. he collected sand is loaded into trucks using a JCB which is then deposited to specific areas. The work is being carried out at the river basin at Kulattabettu area of B Mooda village of the taluk.
Speaking of the project Technical Coordinator Dharmesh says, "Our responsibility is limited to obtain sand through dredging and keeping account of the stock. The disposition and sale will be looked after by the mining department. If anyone needs sand, they can contact the department," he informed.
