According to highly placed sources, the action is in fact belated as the VPT had on two occasions had the component - coolers - of the tug - Sahay - repaired by paying Rs 10.39 lakh each time though the actual price of the cooler was Rs 1.28 lakh.

The coolers in tugs wear out fast because they have to perform heavy duty of cooling high temperature of the tugs while they ``pull'' ships into the port from roads.

It is said that the port authorities had given the work of repair in 1995 and 1996 for an exorbitant amount of over Rs.10 lakh though the guidelines say new component should be bought if the repair cost would go beyond 30 per cent of its actual price. The vigilance officials are going through the case through with a finetoothed comb to fix responsibility, sources said.