Pamban fishermen demand thorough dredging after propeller damage

Fishermen in Pamban have asked the district administration and port department to ensure that ongoing dredging of the Pamban canal is carried out thoroughly. They allege that sandbars continue to obstruct stretches used by mechanised boats and that more than 10 boat propeller wings were damaged in a month.

Following repeated demands from fishermen, the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board awarded a private contract worth Rs 9.5 crore for removing accumulated sand and deepening the canal. The contract covers dredging along a 3,500-metre stretch, of which around 500 metres has reportedly been completed. Fishermen say several dunes remain in the channel and are still damaging propellers.

The Pamban canal connects the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait and runs for about 2 kilometres beneath the area.