PANJIM: Captain of Ports (CoP) on Thursday launched a grab dredging vessel which will be used to desilt rivers.
Speaking to Herald, Captain James Braganza said, “During the monsoon a lot of siltation takes place in Rivers Mandovi, Zuari and Cumbarjua canal, which results in reduced cargo capacity due to draft and affects the navigation of barges, hence for smooth navigation the rivers have to be dredged from time to time and this new dredger will help in executing work four times faster than the old dredger.”
“Built at a cost of Rs 3.50 crore, the new dredger has a 4 metric tonnes capacity and also higher outreach of 10 meters and will also be used to maintain ferry ramps, which also have frequent siltation,” he added
Ports Minister Dilip Parulekar said, “This dredger is four times bigger than the old one and will help creating pathways for cargo movement and barges. Before the CoP would either hire a dredger or use the old one.”
