Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 29: 'Bhagwati Prem' dredger which had developed problems and had stranded at the seashore near Surathkal Guddekopla, has spent 15 months there. Now, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has, as a last reosrt, auctioned the dredger for about Rs 4.5 crore. Those who won the bid have not yet taken steps to move the dredger from here.

The dredger was on the verge of drowning in the sea during October 2019, after which the tug of New Mangalore Port Trust was used to rescue the dredger and anchor it near Surathkal. The dredger belongs to Mercator company and was in irreparable condition since April 2019 April and got stranded outside the NMPT anchorage. Another dredger owner by the same company, 'Tridevi Prem' had also developed problems and drowned outside the anchorage in September that year.

Experts have certified that Bhagwati Prem dredger can never be put to use again. It is now rusting near Surathkal. Now it has been acquired by Sonar Impex, a concern from Mangaluru, in the bid. The agency deputed by the bidders, under the supervision of central industrial security force, with permission from, NMPT, visited the ship along with local fishermen. In all likelihood, they will break the ship and sell it as scrap but the fishermen are against breaking the ship here. Talks in this respect are on. The mechanical department of the ship is in wrecks and there is a crack. Therefore shifting it elsewhere is out of question.

Local fishermen leader Sharat Guddekopla, says that the locals are against breaking the ship here and it has been conveyed to the concerned. He said that a meeting of the fisheries department, pollution control board and deputy commissioner was suggested in November last, but nothing has happened thereafter.