Mahanadi is gradually becoming sand-cast and the depth of its water at the river mouth is getting shallower. In the absence of regular excavation, the river has been posing a serious threat to fishermen in Paradip of Jagatsinghpur, many of them alleged on Sunday. As per the allegations of local fishermen, the sand-cast river mouth has been causing high and intense tides.
Fishing trawlers are dangerously being stranded for hours, many times. Despite running from pillar to post, no step is being taken in this regard by the district administration, the fishermen rued. Also Read: Commissionerate Police intensifies probe into ‘Love Jihad’ case, terror link of accused to be investigated
“We used to fish at Paradip fishing harbour for nearly eight months in a year. Accidents often take place due to the shallow river mouth of Mahanadi. The district administration should take appropriate measures to solve this,” a fisherman named Arakshita Sethi stated. “The river mouth is getting sand-cast due to floods, cyclones, and beach nourishing activities of Paradip Port authorities.
Many fishermen have died in the past days and several others are still missing. It is very difficult to venture into the sea when there is low tide,” trawler owners’ association president Srikanta Parida said when contacted. “Excavation is being demanded and it is very essential to dig the river mouth. Accidents are taking place at times. We have already informed our departmental higher-ups and the excavation work will start soon,” additional fishery officer (marine) Bijaya Kar stated. Worth mentioning, that the river mouth was excavated more than six years ago.