While demanding that the State government ensure that the pontoon is only towed and not cut, CVAC has stated that it has salvagers and expert mariners, who are willing to render their expertise to tow away the stranded pontoon, provided Arihant Ship Breakers bears the cost of the same.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, CVAC member Simon D’Souza said, “We have seen what happened to Candolim beach after the River Princess episode. Even after the ship was salvaged, corroded metal traces of the ship still injure tourists and locals. We don’t want such a thing to happen at Arossim beach; the idea of cutting and then removing the pontoon debris is going to sound the death knell for the pristine and serene seashore of Arossim.”
He further said, “It has also been observed that the four days of massive sand extraction with heavy-duty earth moving machinery has resulted in huge sand erosion and large holes on the seashore. Breaking the pontoon on the beach would result in serious ecological damage, and the highly corroded metal traces embedded in the sand would pose a threat to tourist and locals, especially the fishing community. We just cannot allow such things, and therefore, CVAC appeals to the authorities to order the charters of the pontoon to seriously make efforts to tow the pontoon and bear the costs of the same.”
“There are salvagers and expert mariners, who are willing to render their expertise for towing away the stranded pontoon, provided Arihant Ship Breakers bear the costs,” said D’Souza.
He also mentioned that, as the State authorities had failed to nail the people responsible for the problems caused by the pontoon, CVAC had decided to move court on Monday for the same and to get a court order seeking a total ban on pontoon parties or beach weddings.
