TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Unfavourable weather conditions, lapsing of central customs clearances and orders from the tourism ministry to encash the Rs 10 crore bank guarantee is likely to hit and even delay the on-going M V River Princes debris removal process off Candolim-Sinquerim coast.
Sources in the tourism ministry said that ever since the issue of work orders and commencement of the work, barely 32 tons of the metal remains have been brought ashore.
Information available with Herald is that as on March 31, 2014 central customs clearances for the debris landing site at Bainguinim lapses. The clearances were effective for six months (with effect from October 2013).
“The delay on the part of the ship breaking agency in complying with certain formalities resulted in the delay of issue of work orders,” said a key official in the tourism ministry.
The official said that Arihant Ship breakers have sought for time of at least three to four months to complete the work and it would not be possible to grant extension of time in the wake of the ensuing monsoons which hits Goa coast by May.
Work for removing the ship wreck, a large portion of which still buried below the sea bed began late last month.
Presently rough weather has also started hampering the work at site.
“Work is progressing very slow,” said this official in the tourism ministry stating that the agency’s bankers have also been directed to encash the Rs 10 crore bank guarantee and deposit the money with the government for failure to renew the same on time.
“It is going to be an uphill task ahead for Arihant ship breakers,” said the official adding that even though the government has moved for seeking extension of the central customs clearances it was not sure how long it would take to procure the same.
