Karwar: Dredging Begins to Clear Gangavali River After Landslide

Karwar: Dredging operations have commenced in the Gangavali River at Shirur, Ankola taluk, following a landslide disaster. On Wednesday, a barge and boat from Goa arrived at Karwar’s commercial port to initiate the clearing process. The barge, equipped with a crane and a backhoe dredging machine, is being towed by a tugboat from the private company Deep Dredge of Goa. The journey from Goa to Karwar is expected to take around 12 hours.

The dredging operation is fraught with challenges. The barge must navigate both sea and river routes to reach Shirur, including traversing the Manjaguni and Gangekola valleys. It will also need to pass beneath the Gangavali-Manjaguni bridge and the railway bridge near Shirur, requiring precise manoeuvring.

Captain Chandrakanta of the tugboat stressed the need for careful monitoring of weather conditions and water flow throughout the journey. The dredging is in response to the July 16 landslide, which deposited a significant amount of soil and stones into the river, creating an artificial embankment that trapped a lorry from Kerala.

The task has been assigned to Karwar-based Abishenia Ocean Services, which is handling the dredging with the barge from Goa. The operation is projected to take at least 10 days, with the barge’s foundation submerged up to one meter deep. Safety and vigilance are paramount, as the dredging requires the same caution as navigating the sea.

Capt. C. Swamy, Director of the Port and Water Transport Board, emphasised the critical importance of safety throughout this operation.