Team Herald
VASCO: Even after two years, MV Qing vessel, which is currently grounded at the WISL yard, continues to pose a serious threat to the marine environment due to high possibility of oil spill during the forthcoming monsoon season.
Herald investigation revealed that grounded MV Qing vessel currently has around 350 tonnes of oil and around 20,000 tonnes of sea water mixed with oil and grease. Now, Mormugao Port authorities, who want to get rid of the vessel, had asked the new owner namely M/S Balaji Fuels from Gujarat (highest bidder in the auction by High Court) to remove the 350 tonnes of oil from the vessel and then to tow it away to Gujarat for scrapping. However, MPT’s plans faded due to the alleged delay from the Goa Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) side.
MPT sources informed that Balaji Fuels had initially collected samples of sea water present inside the vessel and had sent the same to Goa Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for check and so that the board could permit the new owner to release the sea water back into the sea as there is no facility at port or in Goa to store or treat such high amount of sea water. GSPCB refused to accept the samples and communicated that they would come and collect the samples on their own.
“I don’t know whether GSPCB has already collected the samples or not but since last 15 days some correspondence is going on and this has been delaying the work. It appears that GSPCB is not taking the issue seriously as 15 days delay is big delay in such cases. When the issue is concerning environment then such delay is not acceptable,” a senior MPT official said.
While MPT wants to get rid of the vessel, the new owner M/s Balaji Fuels wants to complete the operation at earliest so that after the vessel is refloated, the same can be towed away to Gujarat port for breaking purpose.
“We have started the work of sealing all the doors and other openings so that ingress of sea water in the vessel is stopped. We have also presented the salvaging plan before the GSPCB but we are unable to complete the task on war footing. The major threat is of oil spill as last two monsoons were not strong enough. However, if this forthcoming monsoon is strong then the vessel can either topple or the oil tanks with 350 tonnes of oil may get damaged which will pollute the sea,” a staff engaged in salvaging operation said.
Sources said considering the alleged delay by GSPCB staff, M/s Balaji Fuels has now sought the South Goa Collector’s intervention into the matter.
