Barge fined MVR 100m for running aground off Dhidhdhoo
"The investigation revealed that 4,038 acres of the reef have been severely damaged," the EPA said.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
HRS Infratech, the owner of the tugboat and barge that ran aground on HA. Dhidhdhoo reef in May, has been fined MVR 100 million for compensation for the damage caused to the reef.
HRS Infratech's TB Mutha Princess tugboat and Mutha Pride barge ran aground on 2 May. They were loaded with rock boulders needed to build the island’s harbour.
The barge was removed a day after the incident, but the tug was taken four days later.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined HRS Infratech MVR 100 million as compensation for the damage caused to the Dhidhdhoo reef.
The EPA on Tuesday ordered the company to pay the fine within 30 days.
The EPA said it surveyed the area on May 12 to assess the environmental damage after the vessels were removed and conducted their investigation of the incident.
"The investigation revealed that 4,038 acres of the reef have been severely damaged," the EPA said in a statement.
The amount of fines and compensation assessed under the Environmental Damage Penalties and Compensation Regulations, the EPA said, stood at USD 101.7 million.
“However, the maximum amount of fine under Act No. 4/93 (Environmental Protection and Conservation Act) is MVR 100 million and the fine of MVR 100 million has been ordered to be paid to the agency within 30 days,” the statement said.
