Sun Feb 22 17:49:11 UTC 2026: # Korapuzha River Dredging Halted Amidst Protests Over Illegal Sand Extraction

The Story:
Dredging operations in the Korapuzha river in Kozhikode, India, have been temporarily suspended following mass protests by local residents and political parties. Allegations of illegal sand extraction disguised as dredging to remove silt have fueled the unrest. Residents claim the contracting firm is engaging in “indiscriminate” sand mining without proper government oversight, leading to environmental concerns such as dwindling water levels and saline intrusion. An expert committee has submitted its report to the District Collector after examining the complaints, and a meeting is scheduled to discuss the findings and decide on the future of the dredging work.

Key Points:

  • Mass protests erupted over alleged illegal sand extraction under the guise of dredging in the Korapuzha river.
  • Residents claim “indiscriminate” sand mining is occurring without adequate government oversight.
  • Protesters blocked sand transportation and demolished a temporary bridge used for this purpose.
  • Allegations include the attempted dumping of sludge within Mattuvayal, violating contract terms.
  • Concerns raised about dwindling water levels and saline water intrusion in local wells.
  • An expert committee, led by Assistant Collector S. Mohanapriya, submitted a report to District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh.
  • Minister for Forest and Wildlife A. K. Saseendran intervened, leading to the formation of the expert committee.
  • The dredging project, which began in 2022, aims to remove around two lakh cubic metres of soil.

Key Takeaways:

  • Local communities are increasingly vigilant about environmental impacts from development projects.
  • Lack of transparency and oversight in government contracts can lead to public distrust and protests.
  • Environmental concerns, such as water scarcity and pollution, are potent drivers of social unrest.
  • Government intervention and expert investigations are necessary to address public grievances and ensure project compliance.
  • Sustainable dredging practices and proper waste disposal are crucial for mitigating environmental damage.

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