While giving a reply during the question hour, the
minister said the government had entered
into an agreement with the Adani Ports in this regard in 2018, and the contract
expired on June 11 this year.
However, the company was given an extension to
complete the work as it was delayed, he said. When legislator Saneesh Kumar
Joseph (Congress) asked whether the government would be ready to take action
against the port authorities for failing to fulfill its assurance, the
minister, who spoke on behalf of Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan in his
absence, didn’t give a clear reply.
“It is true that the contract period with Adani Ports
was over. So, the port representatives and respective ministers held
discussions and gave extension to complete the dredging work in a time-bound
manner. They are now continuing their
work,” Vasavan said.
Joseph pointed out that the situation in Muthalappozhi
was extremely grave, and as many as 73 people had already lost their lives
there.
Another
Congress legislator M Vincent also urged the government to take urgent
short-term measures to address the concerns of fishermen in the hamlet.
He said even if the state government had submitted Rs
164 crore project to the Centre for the development of Muthalapozhi, it would
take several years to get the final nod from the union government and for its
completion after finishing the tender procedures and subsequent works.
Over 70 people were reportedly killed and a large
number of boats were capsized in Muthalappozhi, a coastal hamlet where a river
and a lake meet the Arabian Sea, and its surrounding areas in recent years.