Kakinada, May 15^th: The issue of dredging in Hope Island in the vicinity of Kakinada sea port became issue between the KSPL authorities and the local fisherflock. While the KSPL authorities are arguing that dredging is essential if both deep water and anchorage ports remain open in future, the fisherman are expressing fear of destruction of island which is considered as the natural protector of Kakinada from cyclones as also fear of loss of livelihood of fisherman in the island area.

According to sources, Hope Island started forming 100 years ago and at present it has reached 15 km length. The island started forming with sand from backwaters of the Godavari River since the construction of the Cotton Barrage near Rajahmundry. Every year sand deposits to the tune of six lakh cubic meters accumulate in the area. On this issue KSPL is stating that dredging was taken up to prevent the formation of a lagoon that restricts the growth of island.

The Human rights forum has joined the issue, stating that KSPL had no clearance of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for carrying out dredging. As a response to this the KSPL has written to Kakinada RDO, clarifying that it was only dredging a sand trap at the tip of the island. KSPL chief executive, Mr. Y.S Prasad said that if dredging was discontinued the existence of the anchorage port would be affected as the case of Koringa port. The Koringa port was closed due to formation of a lagoon which prevents the movement of ships.