PANJIM, SEPT 8
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Wednesday directed the State government to start process of removing River Princess vessel from Candolim shore within two months.
The Division Bench comprising of Justice D G Karnik and F M Reis also asked the government to make sure that the vessel is removed before onset of next monsoon.
Pointing out to the report submitted by the Ministry of Earth Science, the Court in its order stated that the vessel has led to immense ecological imbalance at Candolim shore.
“The vessel is in a bad shape and any further delay in its removal may lead to further weakening of it,” it added.
The Division Bench made it clear that the government has already initiated the tender process for removal of the vessel.
The State government by next week will submit the name of the company, to whom the tender is allotted.
The State government last week had told Court that Salgaonkar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) would be given preference to tow the vessel as they are the actual owners and are ready to take the vessel free of cost. M/s Titan Salvage and M/s Madgaonkar Salvage are the other two bidders.
When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday morning, River Princess Hatao Manch (RPHM) through their lawyer Nigel D’Costa objected to SMIPL taking part in the tender process.
“How can SMIPL take part in the tender process when they are responsible for grounding of the vessel?” D’Costa questioned. As such, court observed that there is no consent among the parties and decided to pass a judicial order over the petition.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by River Princess Hatao Manch (RPHM), which had complained about the environment degradation caused by the stranded vessel during the last ten years.
D’Costa also objected to the manner the vessel is removed and stated that though there is urgency in removal of the vessel, it cannot be towed.
He submitted to the court that as per the report filed by experts from Ministry of Earth Science and National Institute of Ocean Technology, the vessel is not in a position to be broken and towed.
However, the court did not consider the objection over the manner it is to be removed as the matter is pending and there is no enough material submitted before the court.
The court also directed the government to continue with their suggestions to control further environment degradation.
