Paradeep:After almost nine years, the reason behind the sinking of iron ore-laden vessel off Paradip coast is likely to be unearthed as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will now carry out an investigation into the incident.
The Mongolian vessel, MV Black Rose sank 5 kms off the Paradip port on September 9, 2009 due to unknown reasons. Following the incident, two trustees of the Board of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) – Pratap Mishra and Bhuban Mohan Jena- wrote to the chairman of the port demanding CBI inquiry into the incident. The PPT then forwarded the letter to the Shipping ministry.
Later on January 31, 2018, Pratap wrote to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan demanding the incident to be handed over to CBI. In the letter, he mentioned, “The sinking of the vessel has posed a big threat for the port’s business and hence the mystery around it needs to be unearthed to trace illegal transportation of minerals.
Acting on his letter, on February 1, 2018, Pradhan approached the Shipping ministry for a CBI inquiry. Subsequently, on June 20, the Shipping ministry wrote to the CBI for a thorough investigation into the incident
It is alleged that the vessel was engaged in illegal transportation of iron-ore and other minerals by forging documents. Besides, involvement of some high profile persons is also alleged.
When the vessel sank, it had 23500 tonnes of iron ore on board along with 900 metric tonnes of oil that leaked out after some days of the incident resulting in water pollution and threat to the marine life in the region.
