With the tugboat running aground a few meters away from the pontoon ‘Bhageerath’, the situation has become worse for ASB, which is racing against time to remove the pontoon within the deadline of Monday, set by the government.
According to information, the owner of ABS, who owns the pontoon, sought help from tugboat ‘MT Lotus’ from Mumbai to remove the sinking pontoon two days ago.
“They had brought the tug some days ago to remove the grounded pontoon from Arossim beach. They tied the tug to the pontoon, and while the pontoon was being pulled, the anchor of the tugboat broke, and a thick rope that was used to pull the pontoon got stuck to the propeller portion of the tug, which led to engine failure. The situation has become worse; on one side we have a tugboat and on the other side, a pontoon. It appears that the deadline of Monday set by the government to remove the pontoon may not be met,” said Anthony D’Souza, president of the Cansaulim Villagers Action Committee.
ASB staff members, who have been working tirelessly to remove the grounded pontoon, confirmed that they would not be able to remove the pontoon within the next two days. They stated that the pleas for assistance made to trawler owners from Goa had been rejected as the latter feared that their trawlers might also run aground.
“The trawlers owners have rejected our pleas to pull the tug out to sea. We have been informed that our management has sought the help of divers, who are expected to arrive on Monday. They will try to float the grounded pontoon, and another big tug, which is expected to arrive shortly, will try to first float the tug. Later, with both tugs, we might be in a position to float the pontoon. The last option will be to cut the pontoon and remove the debris,” said a staff member of ASB.
Meanwhile, the issue of another boat grounded at Arossim beach was raised in the gram sabha on Sunday. Members accused the government, Tourism Department, Captain of Ports and panchayat of taking the village for granted and demanded that both boats be removed immediately, failing which they would come onto the streets.
