Navi Mumbai: In the wake of the fatal collision between a navy speedboat and a ferry, boat operators around the Elephanta Caves (Gharapuri) island said they have repeatedly raised concerns over trials conducted by the Navy near the Mumbai coast line in different formations in and around the passenger ferry navigation area, but these has been no remedial action.
Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) officials said they too have expressed displeasure in the past over these tests conducted close to the coast instead of beyond the passenger ferry navigation line.
The Navy conducts tests using speedboats and other vessels off the coast around Butcher island, Karanja, Elephanta island and they navigate close to passenger ferries, said the locals. Hundreds of passenger boats ply daily on routes connecting Gateway of India, Ferry Wharf, Elephanta, Mandwa, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Versova and Madh Island.
Chairman of the Gateway Elephanta Jal Vahatuk Sahakari Sanstha, Sardar Mahadkar, alleged, “We have raised the issue of Navy crafts coming into our shipping channel. The Navy should conduct tests and trials elsewhere.” The Sanstha chief said letters have been written several times to the naval authorities, Mumbai Port Trust and MMB pointing out the hazards and meetings too have been held with these agencies to discuss the issue, but no corrective measures were taken.
MMB port inspector Vinayak Karanje said, “A number of minor collisions have been reported between ferry boats and due to uneven formations of Navy speedboats. But this is the first major mishap in the sea.”
Activist Rajeev Mishra said, “It is shocking that the Navy is conducting trials without safety arrangements and deployment of rescue teams. Naval exercises should be conducted away from the ferry navigational area.”
A message sent to the defence chief PRO did not elicit any response.
