TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The remains of the M V River Princess wreck lying below the sea bed at Candolim is likely to be removed by Arihant Ship breakers by May 15, the monitoring committee appointed to assess the removal stated Wednesday.
While turbulent weather at regular intervals is hampering the wok, the ship breaking agency is on the job and reportedly making efforts to complete the task by mid-May.
According to sources, close to 1000 tonnes of metal have been removed till date.
The exact amount of wreckage material lying below the sea bed is not known and both the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) are monitoring the work round the clock at the scrap landing sites.
Information given to us is that the tourism department has sought for extension of Customs clearances which lapses on March 31. The same is expected shortly.
Sale of scrap removed from the sea bed would also begin soon, the tourism ministry has disclosed.
This time however proceeds from the sale would be deposited in the State coffers as the agency has already sold scrap worth Rs 10 crore equivalent to the bank guarantee. “Henceforth proceeds from the sale of scrap would go to the government treasury based on the price fixed in the agreement three years ago,” the official said.
