Princess removal: HC issues notices
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 28
Tired of waiting for the State Government to remove M V River Princess, that grounded off the Sinquerim-Candolim beach in June 2000, the residents of Candolim has now moved the High Court.
The Candolim residents under the banner — River Princess Hatao Manch (RPHM) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), for immediate removal of the vessel.
The Bombay High Court at Goa, on Wednesday issued notice to M/s Jaisu Shipping Company Pvt Ltd, returnable by February 9. The Ministry of Environment and Forest, a party in the petition, has also been asked to file its reply.
On May 1, 2007 Jaisu Shipping Co Pvt Ltd, entered into contract with the Department of Tourism, to tow away M/s M V River Princes within a period of 180 days. However, it failed to complete the work within the stipulated time, and therefore, sought extension of time till December 31, 2008 stating that it was not able to complete the work due to impending rains.
But, the Department of Tourism issued a show cause notice to the shipping company on its failure to remove the vessel within the given period and also, refused to grant extension of time. It en-cashed the bank guarantee of Rs 5.5 crore deposited by the company.
Currently, an arbitration appeal is pending before the Single Bench of the High Court.
The Division Bench in this regard, has now instructed the State government to apply to the chief justice seeking transfer of the matter to Division Bench.
On the other hand, residents of Candolim who have been affected due to their erosion of the beach by the grounded vessel in the last eight years, has now become quite vocal again.
During last two months they have vehemently demanded removal of the vessel without further delay. They had rasto roko in the coastal belt that brought traffic to the standstill.
On January 26, headed by their local (Calangute) MLA Agnel Fernandes, they came marching to the city, protesting against the inaction of the government to remove the vessel.
The petitioner was represented by Adv Nigel Costa.
