A decade on, Princess removal still a distant dream

A decade on, Princess removal still a distant dream 
THOMAS FERNANDES
CALANGUTE, JUNE 5
When a 240-metre long ore carrier ran aground off the Candolim coast on a stormy night on June 6, 2000, no one would have expected the ship to remain at the site for the next ten years.
State governments have changed over the years, but the ‘MV River Princess’ continues to languish about 300 metres from the seashore, much to the dismay of environmentalists and residents in the area.
Residents of Candolim and neighbouring villages formed the ‘River Princess Hatao Manch’ and held many agitations, which included a human-chain and a road-blockade, to press for the early removal of the River Princess. But their efforts to seek a positive response from the government in power have met with little success.
“The attitude of various governments to find a way to remove the grounded ship has been such that many of us fear the ship will remain at the site for many years to come. Who knows, it may then even be declared a heritage site,” was the sarcastic remark of a resident from Candolim.
Accusing the government of making false promises to the people, many residents opined that though the ‘River Princess’ was declared a ‘State Disaster’, the vessel still remains off the Candolim coast.
“The River Princess is a very sad story for the unfortunate villagers of Candolim. They have been praying fervently and tirelessly in churches, chapels and temples for its early removal,” remarked Convener of River Princess Hatao Manch Fermino Fernandes.
“The vessel would have never been stranded off the Candolim coast and could have towed away in the very first month of its arrival. However, the carelessness of the successive governments has forced the River Princess to remain for so long,” he added.
“Initially, successive governments messed up over the removal of the vessel. While awarding contracts for the removal of the vessel, the capabilities or past track records of the contractors were not ascertained by the government,” alleged Fernandes.
“The government is least bothered about the damage to the environment or sufferings of the people. They are, however, quick to make rosy speeches about efforts being made to remove the River Princess,” he added.
When contacted, local MLA Agnelo Fernandes said: “The work on the tenders has begun, but it will take time which is very unfortunate for the villagers of Candolim.  Hopefully, the process will be expedited at a later stage to get rid of the stranded vessel.” 
It may be recalled that various concerns were raised as soon as the River Princess ran aground on June 6, 2000. In September, oil began to leak from the ship and posed ecological problems.
In 2001, the government passed the Goa Tourist Places (protection and maintenance) Act, 2001 in a bid to remove the River Princess.
Two years later, the government passed an order claiming that Salgaocar Mining Industries Ltd had forfeited vessel and that the ship was now vested with the government.
The government then issued tenders to remove the ship and though the US-based Smith International bagged the tender, it claimed the time-period to remove the ship was too short and eventually turned down the tender. Crosschem International Ltd of UK then bagged the tender, but was unable to remove the ship.
In 2006, the government appoints Jaisu Shipping Pvt Ltd from Gujarat to remove the ship within a period of 90 days, but the company too failed to honour the contract within the initial deadline.