The Kerala State Commission for Minorities has observed that companies that have taken up the contract for dredging and increasing the length of the groyne at Muthalapozhi have not completed even 50% of the work though the term of the contract is about to end.

Commission chairperson A.A. Rasheed held a sitting at its headquarters here on Tuesday. Officials concerned apprised him of the steps initiated to remove sand accumulated at the harbour and finish the work on the groyne.

Though the contract for extending the length of the groyne on the south side of the harbour by 420 m was for a year-and-a-half, only 200 m had been completed in one year. Since the rains had started, the work had been temporarily stopped, the Harbour Engineering executive engineer informed the commission.

The District Collector informed the commission that a new tender for dredging was invited after a dredger brought from Azhikkal port to remove sand accumulated at the harbour sustained damage owing to strong waves. Since the contractors had quoted rates higher than the existing local market rates (LMR) rates, the contract could not be awarded. A letter had been sent to the government to take a decision for arranging a dredger of Adani Ports for dredging operations.

The commission expressed deep dissatisfaction over officials’ failure to ensure that the work was completed ahead of monsoon. It directed the Collector to call a meeting of officials to take steps for completion of the work in a time-bound manner and making Muthalapozhi accident-free.

The commission had taken a suo motu case after a series of accidents at Muthalapozhi.