AFTER 11 YEARS PRINCESS REMOVAL IS SET TO BEGIN

PANJIM: After almost nearly 11 years, the work on removal of the grounded ship River Princess is all set to begin with the central government issuing notification on Monday to declare the area earmarked at Britona as customs area and paving way for signing of contract and M/s Arihant Ship Breakers to cut the vessel into pieces and remove it.

The tourism director, Mr Swapnil Naik, informed The Navhind Times on Saturday that the central government officials have given in principle approval orally and told the state officials that the preliminary work on removal of the vessel could begin.

“As such we have directed Arihant management to begin preparatory work,” he added.

Mr Naik further stated that the work on the removal of the vessel could be signed as early as Monday and the actual cutting of the vessel could begin soon thereafter. He also said that a meeting of the monitoring committee set up to oversee the removal process would be held on Monday to oversee the preparation, etc.

The steering committee headed by the revenue secretary, Mr B Vijayan, would not only oversee the work on cutting and removal of the vessel but also sanction payment to the management of Arihant only if it finds that the work was being executed as per the set parameters.

The vessel had run aground on June 12, 2000, and several attempts in the past to either re-float it and tow it away or cut it into pieces and remove it were abandoned for one reason or the other.

About 156 Arihant professionals comprising 56 divers, welders and others are rearing to go. Demarcation work for certain areas has started. Till the low tide point, the area will be cordoned off. Shack owners are a happy lot, as they have been asked to stay on, and will not be removed, as earlier planned, said the Arihant administrator, Mr Leo Dias.
Under the tourism department, which has complete authority of the beach areas, work has begun to draw demarcation lines with green nets. Areas will be restricted for swimmers and water sports such as jet skies.

Mr Dias said the fishing areas will be cordoned off and areas will be marked for cranes, power generators and barges for transporting the metal pieces to Britona. Since the River Princess is a foreign ship, the bill of entry has been prepared and is with the customs. It is a formal declaration describing the goods. Once loaded onshore, it will be under the responsibility of the customs.

The chalk marked under the Mandovi bridge for temporary storing the metal pieces of the River Princess will be covered by huge sheets and watched by security guards.  “Since we are behind schedule, we’ll be backing up with extra manpower and more hours working day and night,” he said.

A puja to commemorate the start of breaking of the ship will be held on Sunday morning and a litany will be held in the evening by 7.30 p.m. near the Candolim Nightlight Cross.