Further, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai has turned down the government’s request to carry out a study to interpret whether the magnetic anomalies as specified in the report of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) belong to the River Princess wreckage. The institute said they do not have the expertise in the said subject.
In information tabled on the floor of the House, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said that the government-appointed monitoring committee has decided to go for third party monitoring/investigation of the area with regard to the high magnetic anomaly and that NIO would suggest a third party agency.
The question was tabled by GVP MLA Francisco Pacheco, who sought to know the status of River Princess removal.
The minister said that GSBB in its meeting held on May 29, resolved and advised to avoid digging or excavating the seabed to search for an object lying under the seabed (3-6mrts). “Digging is simply not warranted as interfering with the present stable seabed can lead to widespread complications on a pre-wounded coast,” the Board suggested.
“Moreover, the area falls under CRZ IV and there is no provision under CRZ 2011 for opening or dredging the sea floor,” the minister said quoting the GSBB decision. He further stated that with time presence of corroded metallic debris is bound to go to wreck and ruin.
GSBB was asked to carry out an Environmental Implication/Cost Analysis and Social Impact study of dredging/sweeping operation in the sediment of the seabed at the wreck site.
As per information, NIO in its report identified large amplitude magnetic anomalies indicating the presence of significant amount of ferro-metallic material buried in the sediment below the seabed in the wreck region buried 3 to 6m below the seabed at some places and even shallower at others.
