PANAJI: The Division Bench of the High Court of Bombay at Goa constituting of Mr Justice D G Karnik and Mr Justice F M Reis directed the state to commence the removal work of River Princess within two months.

The direction was given when the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the River Princess Hatao Manch complaining about the environmental hazards caused by the stranded vessel came up for hearing.

The petitioner objected to the consideration of the proposal of Salgaocar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) by the state to remove the ship. It was contended by the advocate for the petitioner, Mr Nigel Costa Frias that as SMIPL is responsible for the disaster the job of damage control should not be assigned to them. Mr Costa Frias, moreover, contended that the presence of the ship off Candolim coastline has caused rapid erosion. Furthermore, it was contended by the advocate for the petitioners that it is the duty of the government to take immediate steps for removing the ship to prevent permanent damage to the fragile ecosystem of the area.

Earlier, SMIPL had filed an independent petition which was then tagged to the petition filed by the Manch. Through the petition, SMIPL had sought that the work for the removal of the stranded vessel should be allotted to them as they were ready to carry out the work free of cost.

In response to the contentions of the advocate of the petitioner, the Advocate General Mr Subodh Kantak, appearing on behalf of the state, said that the government has always maintained its stand that the ship should be removed immediately. Mr Kantak further assured the Court that the state would take all necessary steps for the purpose without any delay.

After hearing the parties the Court was inclined to direct the government to take immediate steps within two months to commence the removal work of the stranded vessel. While issuing the direction and considering the continuous damage caused to the environment by the stranded vessel the Court observed that the same must be removed as expeditiously as possible. The Court further directed that in any case, the work must be completed before the next monsoons. While issuing the directions the Court made it clear that the measures taken by the government to prevent further erosion should continue until the removal of the ship.