The Mangalore Special Economic Zone Ltd has sought an explanation from Captain Arvind Singh, owner of the barge that has been submerged in the sea for more than a week, for changing his version from what he had said in a meeting called by the district administration.
The MSEZ was responding to the story “Owner of submerged barge fears oil spill” that appeared in these columns on May 15. MSEZ's Public Relations Officer Ramachandra Bhandarkar said in the meeting called by the district administration on May 11 that Capt. Singh had said that the barge contained only 50 litres of diesel.Capt. Singh had said that the barge was not self-propelled and had no oil in it except 150 litres of hydraulic oil in the excavator of the barge. Capt. Singh had said a 250-tonne crane could be used to bring the barge to the shore. The way salvage operations were to be carried out was discussed in detail in the meeting, Mr. Bhandarkar said. Mr. Bhandarkar said the MSEZ had asked Capt. Singh to explain at length the change from his initial observations. Capt. Singh told The Hindu on Friday that there was around 500 litres of hydraulic oil and 250 litres of diesel on the barge. He had expressed fears of oil spill if the ongoing salvage operations were not done in a proper way.
Mr. Bhandarkar said the principal contractor Parixit Patel of Parixit Industries Limited would be in control of the salvage operation. “The sole responsibility of salvage operations rests with the principal contractor, who has to ensure the safety of the environment,” .The district administration had asked for the progress report of the operations every 24 hours.
