Goa may declare grounded off vessel as state disaster

Goa state government on Wednesday decided to declare vessel-M V River Princess, grounded off Candolim beach in North Goa, as a state disaster, subject to the approval from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
    
The State Disaster Management Committee, which was chaired by chief minister Digamber Kamat, this afternoon, resolved to declare the huge carrier as a state disaster.

"With election code of conduct in session, the state government wants to refer the matter to the ECI before taking the final decision," sources said.

The vessel, which was grounded off the Candolim beach on the stormy night of June 2000, has been allegedly held responsible for the beach erosion.

The authorities, including National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), had attributed the erosion and flooding of the Candolim beach to the presence of huge bulk carrier on the shore.
    
Even as state government is yet to give formal statement about the meeting, the sources confirmed that the state chief
minister Digambar Kamat intends to declare it as state disaster.
   
Various NGOs, including River Princess Hatao Manch, had initiated agitations against the ship.
    
The State Tourism Department's attempt to shift the carrier from the shore had also failed.