The long-awaited dredging of the Kallayi river began at Kothi estuary on Friday, much to the delight of fishers and local environmental activists.
Revenue officials said the cooperation of over 100 volunteers would be sought for the completion of the project and to facilitate the easy movement of fibre boats through the estuary.
The huge silt deposit near the estuary had been causing obstruction to fishing boats. Several boats had been damaged after hitting the piled-up sediments. Incidentally, the project had been pending for around eight years owing to opposition from various quarters.
Officials said dredging would be carried out on the 3-km stretch from the estuary. The estimated cost of the work is around ₹7 crore, they added.
Meanwhile, members of the Kallayi River Protection Committee said the timely completion of dredging work was the only way to ensure the natural flow of the river.
Besides, encroachers should be evacuated, and the land should be taken over by local bodies for conservation, they demanded.
