Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 13: The tractor of the beach cleaning machine employed to clean Malpe beach has been lying idle for the last seven months. It got burnt and it could not be repaired. Therefore, the concerned have reverted to the old method of cleaning the beach with the help of workers.

After the lockdown was lifted, there has been a considerable increase in the number of visitors coming to Malpe. If the tractor is employed, waste that is embedded deep inside the sand can be easily removed. But the machine is gathering rust as the tractor parts are beyond repair and spare parts are not available locally.

In the year 2016, when Pramod Madhwaraj was the legislator, the German-technology powered Beachtech- 2000 modern machine had been acquired by using the Chief Minister's Challenge Fund by spending Rs 75 lac. In addition to Malpe, the machine had also been sent to clean beaches at Hoode and Padubidri. But the machine is not working now.

Sources said that the tender process is in progress and once the order is issued, the tractor will be in operation within 25 days. The burnt parts have to be sent back to the company that has quoted Rs 9.06 lac for repairs. Its hydraulic cable also has been burnt and it cannot be fitted to other tractors as it needs 75 HP capacity which is not locally available. There was delay in survey, insurance etc and it takes about a month to complete all the formalities, official sources said.

The municipal councillor from the area said that tender for a new tractor valued at Rs 12.5 lac will begin in November and till the machine is repaired labourers will do the cleaning job. Sudesh of Malpe Development Committee says that the beach cleaning machine, if it was in operation, would have solved problems as there is an increase in the number of visitors and there is additional garbage. He says that the machine would have helped solve the cleanliness issue in a better way.