Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, Sawant also said, that the work order to a Dutch salvor had been issued by the Mormugao Port Trust, which operates Goa's only major port, and has appointed the European marine engineering agency, Marine Masters, for salvaging the naphtha and the tanker Nu Shi Nalini which ran aground.
"A work order has been issued by the MPT. Now they have given the salvaging company 30 days to remove it (naphtha). It will happen in 20 to 22 days," Sawant said, adding that removal of naphtha from the vessel's tanks was most important, considering the implications to the environment.
The unmanned tanker Nu Shi Nalini ran aground on October 26 on the rocky shelf off Panaji near Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor, after it was caught in a storm off the state, and has not moved position since.
A multi-agency operation, involving the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, DG (Shipping), the MPT and other state agencies, was subsequently launched to transfer the naphtha and nearly 50 tonnes of oil and 19 tonnes of diesel to other vessels.
The joint operation, however, failed on account of stormy weather and a minor accident resulted in the vessel continuing to pose a threat to the coastal area on account of its hazardous cargo.
( With inputs from IANS )