Mangaluru, Jun 4: Food and Civil Supplies Minister U.T. Khader on Sunday demanded an inquiry by the Ports Department and the district administration over reef-building activity of IBIS barge when there is a ban on sea activity between June 1 and July 31.
Mr. Khader told presspersons here that Dharti Dredging and Infrastructure Ltd. — the firm assigned with the work of strengthening the seashore near Ullal coast— had reassigned it to Mumbai-based IBIS firm. He accused the two firms of putting the personnel at risk by carrying out work by disregarding the warning of rough sea condition.
The 27 members of IBIS barge were stranded in the sea on Saturday after it hit a reef near Ullal coast. Indian Coast Guard and Coastal Security Police jointly rescued the crew members on Sunday.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha told presspersons that directions were given on May 25 to all agencies to stop sea activity between June 1 and July 31.
Mr. Jagadeesha said a meeting with representatives of the two firms will be held shortly.
Mr. Jagadeesha said more personnel will be placed on the beaches in Mangaluru to prevent people from venturing into the sea when its rough during monsoon.
A team of district officials led by Mr. Jagadeesha and city police led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K. Shantaraju coordinated with the Indian Coast Guard in the rescue of the crew members.
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