PANJIM, NOV 19
The Tourism Department has decided to seek more time from the High Court as it has already crossed the deadline of November 7, to initiate actual work of removing M V River Princess, grounded in shallow water at Candolim beach.
On the other hand Salgaocar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd, (SMIPL) has issued notice of contempt against the government for failure to abide by order of the High Court .
The High Court in its September 8 order had directed the government to take appropriate measures for removal of the vessel and commence work within two months from the day of the order and in any event, remove the ship before the onset of the next monsoon.
The SMIPL has charged that the government has committed contempt by ignoring Court directive and said it will make an appropriate motion before the High Court by way of contempt petition.
Though the government has now accepted the bid of Mumbai based company — Arihant Ship Breakers Pvt Ltd, the government is yet to formally issue the work order and hence, decided to seek extension of time, said government sources.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Department has forwarded the proposal to the government and waiting for its response, he added.
As per the bid the company will require d to pay a security deposit by way of a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore.
The government will pay the company Rs 99 crores for removing the grounded vessel by cutting and removing the vessel or its parts including any section that may be found buried below the sand in the sea bed.
As per technical bid submitted by the company it will require 40 mts of access on the beach to carry out the removal successfully.
It has also assured to restore the beach to its original condition on completion of the work.
The methodology proposed by the company is to initially remove the ship upto about 2 and 3 mts above the water level as they would need the structure for carrying out below the water level.
The sand inside the vessel as well as around the vicinity of the vessel would be removed while carrying out the work.
The company estimates that they could remove about 700-800 cubic meters of sand everyday but expect to remove the entire sand in about 100 days subject to weather condition and entire work will be completed in 180 clear working days.
