Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Netowrk - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 7: The locals have claimed that the diesel tank of the endangered barge hit a boulder and exploded on Tuesday evening, causing fuel spill. They also say that this has caused oil slick near the seashore at Mogaveerapatna, Ullal.
As per reports, oil content was seen in sea water on Tuesday June 6 evening. As strong odour of diesel is in the air, it is suspected by the locals that fuel had begun to leak from the tank of the barge.
Although it has been three days since the accident happened, the team of experts that was expected to arrive from Mumbai remained elusive. The team was expected to come here on Monday but it did not make it even on Tuesday. It is learnt that it reached Suratkal on Tuesday evening and visited the spot after holding discussions with district administration on Wednesday. The team of officials was accompanied by ADB officials.
The DC had instructed the officials to draw out oil from the sinking barge, but despite efforts by the Navy personnel and technical experts, it could not be done, apparently due to the rough sea and weather conditions. Sources said that the same has been conveyed to the DC.
Several spare parts of the barge reached the seashore since Tuesday morning. A tank with a tyre around it and a huge iron door reached the shore at Mogaveerapatna on Tuesday.
During the tragedy, only one stage of the barge in the rear had gone under water. During the last two days, the fury of the sea has not come down, and therefore about 60 percent of the barge has been submerged, as is visible to naked eye. If the barge sinks, it might inflict damage on the reef built out of investment running into crores of rupees. Locals therefore feel that huge amount of money borrowed from ADB might go down the sea as a result.