the goan I network
VASCO
In a dramatic turn of events, operations to pump naphtha from the MV Nu-Shi Nalini to the Ganesh Benzoplast Limited (GBL) tanks at Berth 8 of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) came to an abrupt halt on Friday, following an order by the South Goa Collector Ajit Roy.
However, by the time the Collector’s orders were enforced, 500 tonnes of naphtha were already pumped into the GBL tanks, leaving the remaining quantity of the inflammable chemical inside the tanker.
Roy along with Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Dy Collector Paresh Faldesai, MPT Dy Chairman G P Rai and MPT trustee Sanjay Satardekar had gone for a joint visit at the GBL terminal on Friday morning, while Mormugao Councillors and a number of residents had also gathered outside the GBL.
However, GBL restricted the entry to only Roy, Naik, Faldesai, Rai and Satardekar, while a large police force was stationed to maintain law and order as people waited
outside to listen to the verdict
of the joint visit.
On his return from the joint visit, Roy informed reporters that he had directed the MPT to stop pumping of the naphtha from the ship at Berth 8 to GBL tanks.
“Naphtha from the Nu-Shi Nalini tanker has been pumped by MPT and is being stored in GBL Tanks, which is certified for storing the cargo. But concerns on safety have been raised by Urban Development Minister Milind Naik and the residents.”
“I have seen there are houses and schools in the surrounding area and we have to take safety as top priority and we will take a call on this,” said Roy.
“It is a false propagnada that MPT has pumped all the naphtha in the GBL tanks in quick time. Around 500 tonnes of naphtha from the ship have already been pumped in GBL tanks in an 8-10 hour operation. Right now, I have asked MPT to stop pumping of naphtha from the ship to the GBL tanks at this stage and we will soon take a call,” said the Collector.
