Mangaluru
The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has stated that the damaged section of the breakwater at Kulai, part of the ongoing construction of the fishing harbour, will be repaired by the contractor. Praveen Shenoy, Executive Engineer of the Civil Engineering department at NMPA, informed the media that precautions had been taken to protect the breakwater, especially along the western arm of the north breakwater, based on recommendations from Project Management Consultants and NMPA.
However, rough sea conditions during the monsoon led to displacement of the core layer in an unprotected area, causing a breach in a portion of the western arm of the northern breakwater. As the construction is still underway according to approved design specifications, the contractor is obligated to rectify, restore, and reinstate the damaged portion at their own expense, and ensure protection as per the contract terms. The contractor has been instructed accordingly and is currently taking action.
The fishing harbour project at Kulai is budgeted at Rs 196.5 crore, with the Deputy Director of Fisheries as the project proponent and NMPA as the implementing agency. NITK, Surathkal, serves as the third-party inspection agency.
The construction contract for the breakwater, marine structures, civil works, dredging, and reclamation at Kulai fishing harbour was awarded to SAPL GCC JV for Rs 147 crore on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction basis. Work on the southern breakwater is largely completed and fully protected, while progress continues on the northern breakwater.
