The Department of Irrigation has floated a fresh tender for the revival of river Kallai as there were no responses for the previous tender. Even as the department plans to open the bids on August 28, local people are concerned over agencies not coming forward to bid for the work.
“There was one successful bid ten years ago. The bidder backed out due to threats of the land mafia, which comprises some traders who are have encroached sections of the river. The timber business is just a front for their illegal activities,” alleged Faisal Pallikkandy, the general secretary of Kallai River Protection Committee, who had approached the High Court demanding that the encroachments on the river be cleared.
A major part of the river revival project includes de-silting and dredging the estuary of the river to ensure free flow of water. The silt will be deposited in deep sea where it would have reached naturally if the estuary was clear. The Kozhikode Corporation has handed over ₹7.9 crore to the Irrigation department for the purpose.
