Team Herald

Vasco: Stating that Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) should be held responsible for the abandoned vessel episode, Mormugao MLA and Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, said they should not have allowed the vessel to enter the port waters in the first place. 

He also alleged that the Nu Shi Nalini vessel has no engine and that the Naphtha present in the vessel has been contaminated and turned into sludge. “It cannot be called a vessel as its engine is non-functional. The Naphtha it is storing is contaminated and does not have the power of Naptha. Due to heavy rainfall and passing of time, the cargo has turned into sludge,” he added. 

Speaking to media persons, after a closed door meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at his official residence on Monday, Naik questioned MPT’s role in the entire sequence of events leading to the current status. 

Referring it as a ‘two-year-old story, he said the vessel had come from some other country, which, as per his knowledge, is from Pakistan, from where it went to Kerala, wherein some cargo was unloaded. He pointed out that the ship was supposed to then head towards Kolkata for delivery. The vessel was supposed to halt at Mumbai but instead, he pointed out it was brought to Goa by the Port authorities, which he believes should have been avoided by the MPT.  

“There were some private agencies interested in unload the sludge and sell it for lesser amount. There was also a plan to salvage the vessel abroad after unloading the cargo. As per what I have heard,” he added. 

Responding to media queries about the government’s response, Naik said that the issue was serious and that in a joint meeting with the government authorities concerned, the Chief Minister was taking efforts to ensure that the sludge is safely removed from the vessel and doesn’t leak into the sea. He added that he was also praying to God that there is no damage caused to the vessel. 

He however, dodged queries about rumours circulating about the involvement of a politician in the Nu Shi Nalini issue and stated that the customs department had levied double the charge on the vessel after knowing it has come from Pakistan.

Also, on Monday afternoon, as per the local fishermen, at around 1.30 pm, two smaller boats either of the Costal police or the Navy, took a round of the vessel. Locals are worried and raised questions based on the tide of the area, as to how the bigger ship would be able to reach near Nu Shi Nalini Vessel, which is stuck on a rock, and unload the cargo. 

Meanwhile, a group of people from Mormugao on Monday filed a complaint with Harbour Coastal police against the MPT for neglecting and failure to take necessary action in time with regards to the unmanned Nu Shi Nalini vessel when it was anchored in the port. Locals urged the authorities to take immediate action.