Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Oct 26: The Mainland Vessel MV Swaraj Dweep on Sunday lost one of its Anchors near Kolkata Port, allegedly, due to negligence and lack of proper maintenance.
According to highly placed sources the incident took place near the Lock Gate of Kolkata Port at around 11.30 PM on 25th October, when the vessel was entering the port.
The officers onboard the ship found that the anchor,on the starboard side, worth several lakhs, has slipped into the sea accidently, while lifting the same.
As per report now the management is planning to fix the alternative anchor in the ship but not at Kolkata but at Chennai, only during next sailing after reaching back to Port Blair.
Last year the vessel was supposed to be sent for Dry Dock for maintenance but instead of that the vessel was allowed to ferry public only after APS.
Many believe that had the vessel been taken to Dry Dock and proper maintenance work was carried out, this incident could have been averted.
It is said that the cost of fixing the alternate anchor will be around 20 to 25 lakhs, which will be a total wastage of tax payers’ money.
Now question arises that who should be questioned for this loss, the officer incharge of the ship, the SCI or the Shipping Department?
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