Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 7: In the interest of marine life and the environment, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Dr K G Jagadeesh, said that the ill-fated barge has been given a day to defuel. During the visit of a team of experts from the district administration and contractors which inspected the spot, prima facie did not find any damage having been inflicted to the reef. "If we get any report on damage to the reef, we will proceed legally against the owners of the barge," he clarified. The team also assessed the quantum of fuel present in the barge that is slowly draining.

In the meanwhile, ADB project officer, Gopal Naik, asserted that the owners of the barge will be solely responsible to meet the losses on account of damage to the reef if any, on account of the barge. He said that at present, it has become impossible to inspect the loss and that survey for the same will be conducted after the force of the waves comes down. For discussing these things, a meeting of company officials is being convened on Wednesday, Naik stated.

The deputy commissioner said that defuelling of the barge is being taken up on priority and the task of rescuing the barge would be attended thereafter.