PANJIM: The Captain of Ports Department has suspended the working licence of the vessel master of the barge owned by V M Salgaoncar, which hit the new Mandovi Bridge pillar, after he was found to be prima-facie responsible for the accident.
The licence is suspended till the inquiry into the entire episode is completed.
A 400-tonne empty barge moving upstream in river Mandovi brushed against pillar no 13 on Friday, last week, following which an inquiry was initiated and the master of the vessel was summoned for interrogation by CoP.
Captain James Braganza confirmed that the working licence of the vessel master is been suspending pending inquiry. He said that the reply given by the master was not satisfactory and prima-facie he was found to be responsible.
The master in his reply said that the accident was a result of a strong wind generated current due to which the vessel drifted. Braganza said that a fresh inspection of the barge would be conducted to know the exact reason behind the accident.
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been asked by PWD to assess the condition of the pillar. The NIO report would be then forwarded to the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways in case any remedial measures are to be taken.
