Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 26: Two dredgers, 'Bhagavati Prem' and 'Tridevi Prem',which had arrived at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) to undertake dredging activity, could have been saved from imminent doom, it is said. It is gathered that the concerned failed to take pre-emptive steps in time to save the two dredgers which are now creating bottlenecks for the movement of boats and ships.
Both the dredgers were owned by Mercator Limited, which is Mumbai-based. Even though it has been about five months since they went under water, no steps have been taken to bring them out. Unless they are cleared from their current locations before the onset of monsoon, both the dredgers may hamper operations at sea. Even fisheries organizations have been expressing unhappiness at the lack of willingness on the part of the concerned to move the dredgers out of water and thus help the environment as well as operation of ships and boats. It is learnt that the company which owns the dredgers has not shown the inclination to bring the dredgers out as the insurance policies covering the dredgers have expired and all the expenses will have to be borne solely by the company.
The sunken dredger 'Bhagavati Prem' stuck at Suratkal beach (file photo)
Equasis, a company specializing in maritime safety and quality, had warned the concerned in May last year about the fact that 'Bhagavati Prem' was facing technical issues. Indian Registrar of Shipping had cancelled the class status of the said dredger on May 14, 2019, treating it as unfit for operations. Even after 'Tridevi Prem' went under water where it was anchored; no efforts were made to bring the other dredger out of water. When it was about to sink, it was pushed to the shore at Suratkal beach on October 29, 2019. It is not known why it was brought to the shore five months after is fitness class was cancelled.
The company owners are quiet as they have to spend crores of rupees without insurance cover. As even the directorate general of shipping is quiet in the matter, NMPT officials have taken steps to dispose the ships through auction.
A V Ramana, NMPT chairman, says that oil from both the dredgers has been removed and that NMPT did not have any prior indication about chances of their sinking. He said that Mercator company owners are not properly responding, and it is up to the directorate general of shipping to take steps about insurance and fitness class of shops. He said that the directorate general of shipping has to take a final decision about the dredgers. District deputy director of fishing, Tippeswamy D, said that NMPT has been requested to take steps to clear both the dredgers. President of country Boat Fishermen's Union, Sharat Guddekopla, admitted that the sunken dredgers create problems for fishing activity. He said that as 30 percent oil remains still inside the dredgers, aqua animals will suffer. He said that unless they are not removed duly taking care not to harm the environment, the fishermen will take the path of protest.