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Mangaluru: Dredger at Guddekopla might adversely affect environment, land

  •   Sat, Nov 28 2020 07:30:53 PM

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 28: A team of experts led by the dean of the fisheries college here, Dr A Senthil Vel, has submitted a study report to the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, in which it has opined that unless the dredger, Bhagwati Prem, which is currently stationed at the Guddekopla beach near Surathkal, it can damage the environment including the land here.

"The dredger is 60 metres long and it stands across the beach. It also has been creating problems for fishing. If left untouched, there is the chance of the dredger slowly drowning in water. In the coming days, it might give rise to acute sea erosion. Already the dredger is covered by sand around it and if it is left in that position for long, dredging may be necessary to move it from there.

“Diesel and oil that are in large quantities, are currently not leaking from the dredger, but they might leak anytime. The best option is to safely vacate it from here as breaking it here also is not a suitable proposition. It should be taken to either Gujarat or Mumbai shipyard," the experts said in the report they prepared after visiting the spot where the ship is currently standing.

Dr Senthil Vel pointed out that a dredger which got stranded for ten years at the Candolim beach in Goa has proved nightmarish for the beautiful beach that has now been destroyed. He recalled that he had recommended the removal of that dredger too. He said similar fate might await the beach here unless prompt action is taken to remove this dredger.
  

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Comment on this article

  • VR, Udupi

    Sun, Nov 29 2020

    That ship already looks rusty. Our coast line is already getting polluted. Better to tow it to the ship breaking yard in Gujarat as soon as possible. May be coast guard will end up paying for the towing.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn Noronha, Gurugram

    Sat, Nov 28 2020

    Any attempt to break the dredger in its current grounded location would be a disaster to the lovely beach, local environment, and the sea life, not to mention it's effect on the local fisherfolks. Imagine shrapnel lying all around, not forgetting the residual fuel and oil leak into the sea. The Guddekopla beach is one of the better beaches of India. Why create a unsalvageable damage? Also one must seek accountability from the concerned parties including the port authorities in whose neighborhood this dredger has allowed to run aground! Why was a tug not sent to halt the drifting dredger (if it really was drifting), to stop the dredger from reaching the coast and safely tug it away to the port? What would have happened, if there was a oil or a gas tanker berthed here? Would the authorities have allowed the drifting dredger to crash into it? This incident has not happened in any wilderness but right in front of the eyes of the authorities!
    I see the authorities have no choice but to dredge if required to lift the ship as much required and tug it away to a identified and certified place for repairs. Believe it is just a 12 year old dredger!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: Dredger at Guddekopla might adversely affect environment, land



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