Date:19/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/19/stories/2007101954270800.htm

Karnataka

BARC study at NMPT this month

Govind D. Belgaumkar

MANGALORE: Experts from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) are studying whether the dumping of silt from the port channels into the sea has been causing any adverse impact to the sea bed.

Similar surveys have been conducted in Cochin and Kandla ports. The BARC is now expected to conduct the exercise at Kolkata port and the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT). A team of experts has arrived here and the survey is likely to begin from October 22 and go on till October 27. Another survey is likely to be conducted here in February.

The last such study was conducted in 1992. NMPT has been removing about 60 lakh cubic metres of silt from its 7.5-km channel (the pathway for the ships to come into the port) and dumping it at a place about 4.5 km north of the channel.

According to NMPT’s Chief Engineer (Civil) M.R. Hedaoo, the site was chosen under the guidance of Pune-based Central Water Power Research Station (CWPRS). He said the NMPT would have to change the site if it was proved that dumping was no longer advisable for any reason.

The study, also called the Radio Active Tracer, basically involves mixing “harmless” radio active material in sand to study its movement. That will let the experts know where actually the sand or silt moves after it is dumped.

The result would produce crucial data enabling the officials to decide on dumping activity. Mr. Hedaoo pointed out that the NMPT may have to rework the contract awarded to an agency to remove silt.

Deputy Director of Fisheries, Sureshkumar Ullal, has banned fishing in a 5-km radius of the area where the study is to be conducted off Mangalore coast.