Brahmagiri/Krushnaprasad: 12 days have passed since the Malaysian cargo vessel, Jin Hwa 32, which ran aground at Chilika mouth near Rajhansa and Khirisahi coast off Bay of Bengal, has been a cause of concern for environmentalists and local people.
The apprehension of oil spillage is increasing with each passing day.
With the sea getting rough these days, the high tides are constantly hitting against the vessel, causing it to tilt to one side. There is a five-foot crack on the body of the container and sea water is entering into it through this opening, increasing the fear of oil spillage.
The vessel is carrying 30, 000 litres of petrol, 1, 000 litres of lube oil and 200 litres of hydraulic oil, it is learnt.
According to local residents, the oil spillage is inevitable in the event of the vessel tilting a little bit more. And if the oil starts leaking, it will have a humongous adverse impact on the eco-sensitive Chilika lake. Local residents and fishermen communities have demanded the vessel’s immediate removal from the spot.
Earlier, the Indian Coast Guard had written a letter to the Malaysian firm GIMHWAK Enterprises, which owns the vessel, asking it to take necessary steps to carry out immediate salvage operation to prevent any oil leakage.
In the letter the Indian Coast Guard has also mentioned that action would be taken as per the provisions of Indian Merchant Shipping Act 1958, if no step is taken.
Meanwhile, the vessel has become a good source of income for some local snack vendors and boatmen as every day a number of people from nearby villagers are thronging to the spot to have a look at the vessel.
Some are coming from the other side even after paying Rs 100 per head to the boatmen to ferry them near to the vessel.
The small time makeshift snack vendors can also be seen spreading their business here.
Notably, Jin Hwa 32 had run aground after its engine developed technical glitch August 7.
PNN