Mumbai: The Directorate General of Shipping
(DGS) today said that traces of phosphine gas were located on
board the ship, MSC Chitra, by the salvers team, indicating
the possibility of containers carrying aluminium phosphide
having fallen in the hold of the ship.
However, measurements of air sample in the vicinity of
MSC Chitra have not indicated any phosphine level. The
position is being monitored regularly, a press statement said.
Meanwhile, 300 canisters containing aluminium phosphide
and diachlorophost have been found and collected from the
Alibaug region. There are also reports of several other
canisters being sighted on the coast off INS Kunjali, it said.
Today, the Navy has escorted 12 vessels out from Mumbai
Port Trust (MbPT) and five vessels out from Jawaharlal Nehru
Port Trust (JNPT), while 14 vessels for MbPT and 8 vessels for
JNPT were piloted in. This brings the cumulated vessels
piloted out to 80 vessels and cumulated vessels brought in to
93 vessels, the DGS statement said.
A total of 293 containers have fallen overboard so far,
of which 10 have been found sunk and marked. 77 containers are
reported beached, 14 containers retrieved by floating cranes
and 18 containers transported ashore at JNPT.
No fresh container has been sighted in the navigation
channel, the statement said.
Besides, the State Government`s concern on this issue
arises out of the start of passenger ferry services from
September 1 and the overall ferry boat movement before the
festive season from September 10-20, the statement said.
PTI
