Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 27: The fishermen have said that Bhagwati Prem dredger that has been anchored in the sea near Guddekopla has now been tilting towards the west from eastern direction. They have expressed the apprehension that oil slick might occur and in course of time, the dredger might meet watery grave during cyclonic storms.
Two dredgers, Tridevi Prem and Bhagwati Prem, owned by Mercator Limited Mumbai, were anchored in the outskirts of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) as NMPT had withheld its bills for not having performed works satisfactorily. Tridevi Prem dredger had drowned on September 3 last year. Bhagwati Prem dredger, which also was about to sink, was somehow brought to near Guddekopla seashore on October 29 last year and anchored there.
The officials had said that oil has been removed and that tenders have been floated to shift the dredger. Oil had leaked from the dredger on June 24 and the area is covered by odd stinking smell. It is suspected that this oil might be of cranes and other machinery. Guddekopla Mogaveera Sangha president Keshava Kunder, said that if the dredger drowns at the spot where it is anchored, it will result in sea pollution and the fishermen will face problems as the area is known to yield rich fish catches.
Fishermen leader Sharat Guddekopla, said that director general shipping, special economic zone and other departments had denied permission for towing the dredger away. He said that NMPT had called for tenders to break the dredger and move it away and the deadline for filing of tender is June 30. He also said that the fishermen will wait for the officials to act and if the dredger is not shifted, the fishermen are even prepared to hold protest.