Team Herald
MARGAO: The Curtorim Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has in a letter to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasised that the safe transfer of Naphtha and fuel from the Nu-Shi-Nalini is the immediate priority.
He further reminded the government that he has highlighted on several occasions, the State’s unpreparedness when it comes to dealing with disaster management. He criticised the lack of response from the various authorities concerned on this ‘grave issue’.
“Now, we are facing a similar disaster since October 24, 2019 when Nu Shi Nalini, the unmanned chemical tanker carrying over 2,000 tonnes of hazardous naphtha, 50 tonnes of heavy oil and 19 tonnes of diesel ran aground towards the Raj Bhavan at Marivel beach at Dona Paula from its anchor point Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). There has been fear and anxiety in the minds of residents about the safety and ecology of the Marivel beach in Dona Paula and other coastal areas in its vicinity” said Reginaldo.
“Though, there have been many authorities including the Union Ministry of Shipping, the Directorate General of Shipping, the MPT, the State government who have been involved in the salvage operation, nothing has happened yet on the rescue front. Only statements are circulated every day in the media but in practical sense, the salvage operation is yet to start. Only different stories related to the salvage are planted everyday” Reginaldo added.
“In order to prevent pollution emanating from this vessel, the first and foremost priority is in the safe transfer of cargo i.e. Naptha and fuel form the grounded vessel. This is also obstructing the line of navigation of local fishermen and they are not allowed to carry out their daily fishing activity” he added further.
“Concurrently, in order to prevent the occurrence of another unfortunate “River Princess” episode that had taken place some years back in the Arabian sea near Candolim beach, the owners of this chemical tanker Nu Shi Nalini have to arrange for a reputed and capable salvage company to remove this grounded vessel. The owners are duty- bound to arrange all payments for the salvage operations including payments for all the work done by the local government and MPT,” Reginaldo added.
“Time is running out fast and there are fears in the minds of the people of the area that the worst may occur to the environment if Naptha and fuel from the tanker spills or if the entire vessel sinks due to strong waves and underneath currents, which could break this vessel in two pieces. The authorities have to act on a war footing for salvaging the grounded vessel by appointing the best salvage company” he added.
“In the interest of the safety of the people of Goa and in view of the potential danger caused by spillage of naphtha and fuel, all immediate measures need to be taken by the competent contractors” suggested Reginaldo.
Reginaldo said that the present operations in the current salvage drive is moving at a snail pace, which is not only time consuming but may also prove to be detrimental to the life of the people of the area and safety for the ecology of the area.
