Dredging in Shallow Waters

Photo courtesy: IWAI
India’s rivers are recipients of large amounts of silt, which reduces the depth of channels over time. Since vessels need a minimum draft of at least 2 m to ply, dredging assumes a vital role in keeping the waterway functional.

Abstract: Dredging is an excavation activity carried out in the approaches to seas, harbours, estuaries, inland waters, rivers, and lakes to remove material from the bed for safe navigation. It is important that the government devises appropriate training of technical personnel for dredging given its resolve to set up a network of national waterways all over India.

The author is Senior Vice-President, Institution of Surveyors, &former Hydrographic Chief, Inland Waterways Authority of India. He is currently pursuing Doctoral Research from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. gayad.inda@yahoo.co.in


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