PANJIM: In what further indicates a lethargic approach of
the authorities in the dangerous naphtha laden ship issue, Goa State Pollution
Control Board (GSPCB) had raised indirect questions as to who the naphtha had
been brought for.
A GSPCB inspection report of September 17, signed by Pravin
Fal Desai (JEE), observed that approximately 2300/MT of naphtha was stored in
the vessel and vessel engine has been seized.
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It said that as per prior information the naphtha was to be
transported to Canacona Hydrocarbon, but GSPCB observed that the factory does
not have the authorisation to handle such hazardous chemicals.
“The vessel contains hazardous majorly naphtha and the
recycling facility Canacona Hydrocarbon doesn’t have any authorisation or
capacity to collect handle and treat such hazardous contaminated chemicals,”
the inspection report stated.
Further, it continues, “as per the records Canacona
Hydrocarbons has permission for only 3.1,3.3, 3.4,5.2 category waste and not
for naphtha handling”.
The question arises why was the naphtha-laden ship brought
and for whom was the consignment?
GSPCB notes that earlier MV Qing carrying approximately 450
metric tonnes of oil berthed at Western Indian Shipyard for repairs and had
partially sunk and oil had spilled. “As a precautionary measure the vessel
Nu-Shi Nalini may be moved and necessary measures be taken,” the report said.
GSPCB, in view of the above, concluded that the ship majorly
contains 2500/MT of naphtha-contaminated substance, and exact characterisation
of substance is not yet done.
It ended the report stating, “Board may write to MPT to
submit time bound action plan of the measures for handling of the vessel Nu-Shi
Nalini and precautions that will be taken by the vessel to avoid any
environmental disaster and decide accordingly further course of action.”
