KOLLAM: The Chinese ship Hansita that was beached off Kakkathoppu coast here on June 25 remains a nightmare to the coastal residents even as the time granted by the Kerala High Court to remove it has ended. The ship was brought to Kollam port by the Indian company Megha Shipping on March 26, 2013. Technical issues had made it anchor off shore near Kollam port for the last three years as the ship owners failed to pay the wharfage charges which had exceeded Rs 40 lakh.
The state government will move the court again seeking permission to take over the ship, but the authorities are clueless on how to remove the dredger from the shore. The government had earlier submitted a similar petition, but the court, on the basis of a counter petition, sanctioned 45 days’ time to the ship operator to remove it from the spot. However, the owners have failed to tow the ship within the time limit. The technical support given by the Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd was also of no use in moving the ship.
Meanwhile, the ship has caused the formation of a new ridge causing huge waves to eat away the shore threatening many houses in the area. The residents of Kakkathoppu have staged several protests, including a hunger strike on the Thiruvonam day, demanding immediate removal of the ship. The protesters under the Kakkathoppu Theeradesa Samrakshana Samiti say that the local residents have lost over ten houses due to the tidal attack.
