Date:10/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/10/stories/2005081000350700.htm

Back Kochi port plans to convert dredged materials to organic manure

V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi , Aug. 9

THE Cochin Port Trust is considering a comprehensive project to convert the dredged materials in the port channels into organic manure aimed at earning additional revenue as well as minimising the dredging cost.

Sources in the port trust said that the silt in the port channels is actually full of organic materials and not really clay or sand as in the case of other ports. Therefore, with appropriate technology this can be marketed as organic manure.

However, the sources pointed out that a comprehensive project involving appropriate technology infusion would be required for the conversion of silt and other dredged materials into organic manure.

At present, the dredged materials are dumped in the sea about 15 km away from the port. This entails additional expenditure. If this can be put to some use, then it will not only reduce the expenditure on dredging but also provide additional revenue, thus making the total cost of dredging far less than what it is today.

One of the major challenges before the port is to minimise the dredging cost. Through innovative contract formulation and management system, the dredging cost over the last five years has been brought down. However, more long-term measures are needed to ensure that the port will ultimately not become unviable because of the increasing dredging costs. One area that needs to be looked into in this regard is the utilisation of dredged materials, the sources added.

There is also a plan to reclaim about 300 acres of land in the eastern side of Vallarpadam facing Bolghatty. This would improve the flow in the Ernakulam channel, thus reducing the siltation and thereby the dredging cost.

Meanwhile, the port is also proposing to convert its 150 acres of land overlooking Bolghatty Island into an international level golf course. There are two islets in the region containing mangroves, which can be preserved as such as part of the golf course, thus probably leading to the construction of the first mangrove golf course in India and probably in the world.

This complex of golf course and the proposed cruise terminal to be constructed in the area can be connected to the main land through a ropeway similar to the one connecting `the Island of Santosa' in Singapore to the rest of Singapore.