Deadline set for Vallarpadam dredging work

Union Secretary for Shipping K. Mohandas, who reviewed the progress of the work on the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, issued orders for the completion of all dredging work for the project to be completed by the end of September, reported The Hindu.

Mohandas has asked the private company entrusted with the dredging operations to deploy special vessels to meet the requirement for clearing large areas where hard surface has been encountered.

Unexpected physical obstructions had prevented the completion of dredging operations in the basin area though capital dredging of the outer and inner shipping channels had already been completed.

Lack of adequate depth had prevented the barge that brought four quay cranes for the ICTT from being berthed at the ICTT terminal.

The vessel, initially brought to the terminal, was shifted to the Ernakulam wharf of Cochin Port. Capital dredging for the basin area had begun in May this year.

The dredging operations are now expected to be completed by the end of September, in time for the likely commissioning of the project in October.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)