The Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has submitted comprehensive proposal to Balochistan government on August 19 for a project comprising permanent dredging and expansion of the breakwater to provide a permanent solution to the recurring accumulation of marine silt at the Pishukan jetty in Gwadar district.

Under the proposed project efforts will be made to secure approval of the project and arrange the required funding so that the necessary financial resources could be provided and the dredging issue at Pishukan Fishing Jetty could be resolved on a permanent basis, Gwadar Pro reported on Thursday.

In this regard provincial legislator Gwadar Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman and Director General Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Moin-ur-Rehman Khan made an emergency visit to Pishukan Fishing Jetty, where they reviewed in detail the difficulties faced by boats in entering and leaving the jetty, ongoing dredging work, and proposed plans for the permanent rehabilitation of the facility.

GDA Chief Engineer Haji Syed Muhammad, Director Town Planning and PD Pishukan Jetty Shahid Ali, Executive Engineer Muhammad Akbar Baloch, representatives of the MPA, relevant officials, political and social figures, and representatives of the fishing community were also present.

During the visit, the MPA Gwadar and DG GDA inspected various sections of the jetty and assessed the difficulties faced by large boats while returning due to the accumulation of marine silt.

They directed that the ongoing dredging and excavation work be accelerated and that the route used by boats for their return be completely cleared on an emergency basis to provide immediate relief to the fishing community.

The officials also reviewed proposed measures for the permanent rehabilitation of Pishukan Fishing Jetty.

Members of the fishing community and local representatives present on the occasion also apprised the MPA Gwadar and DG GDA of their concerns regarding the rehabilitation of the jetty and obstacles to the movement of boats.

The officials assured them that immediate as well as long-term measures would be taken to address their problems.

Later, MPA Gwadar Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman and DG GDA Moin-ur-Rehman Khan visited the under-construction causeway at Marine Drive, Plari Kor-Hor, where they reviewed the construction work, quality standards, and progress of the project.

GDA Chief Engineer Haji Syed Muhammad said that the causeway would be completed within the next one to two months and opened to traffic.

The Chief Engineer further informed the delegation that a plan is also under consideration for the construction and rehabilitation of the road near Pishukan along Marine Drive. Under the proposed plan, repair and maintenance work will be carried out, including the restoration of damaged sections of the road.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China