In the 12th five year plan (2012-17), Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) has planned a capital expenditure of about Rs 1,972 crore. This includes placing order for two more 9,000 cubic metre capacity dredgers.
In the next four to five years, the state-run firm expects to procure these dredgers which may facilitate the company to handle up to 80 per cent of the annual maintenance dredging works of Indian ports. The balance would be done by private companies.
The company planned to phase out dredgers over 35 years old. One had already been phased out and another would soon follow suit. DCI has a fleet of 12 trailer suction hoppers, three cutter suction dredgers, two survey launches and one backhoe dredger.
The company does maintenance dredging for the major ports. It recently bought a new dredger, DCI Dredge XX, which is capable of dredging to a depth of 25 metre.
Due to its high power, it is suited to dredge in shallow waters and in strong current. A high-powered jet fitted in it enables the dredger to carry out capital dredging work, says a press release.
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