For removing the oil traces from the water surface, the CPCL said around 20,000 absorbent pads have been used.
Boats damaged due to oil spill. (Supplied)
The Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd, engaged in removing oil slick near the Ennore Creek in Chennai, has mobilised four agencies from Mumbai, Paradip Port, and Chennai for the clearing work.
The subsidiary of state-run energy major IndianOil Corporation Ltd said that it has been working on a “war-footing” to “clean up and clear” the areas in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and state authorities, and that the work is “targeted to be completed in the next two-three days”.
The CPCL, in a statement, clarified that there has been no pipeline leak nor any leakage from the tanks in the refinery and the “refinery is under operation”.
Around 110 boats with 440 manpower have been deployed for oil slick removal activities. Oil presence in the containment zone is now miniscule, the CPCL said.
“The CPCL has mobilised four agencies from Chennai, Mumbai and Paradip for clearing the oil spill. Seven numbers of containment booms of around 1,430 m have been installed in different areas of (Ennore) Creek and the (Buckingham) Canal”, the statement said.
On Saturday, 16 December, Vens Hydra Lifts Pvt Limited and Neowin India Limited joined the Sea Care Marine Services and Viraj Clean Sea Enterprises cleaning agencies from Mumbai, the Tamil Nadu government said in a release.
For removing the oil traces from the water surface, the CPCL said around 20,000 absorbent pads have been used.
Observing that the mechanised cleaning efforts have been successfully completed in two of the five shore areas, the CPCL said cleaning of houses in the affected areas is being carried out with the required manpower.
“Hydro jetting machines, wet and dry vacuum machines have also been employed to expedite the work,” the company said.
A dedicated team from the CPCL is continuously monitoring the activities under the guidance of the TNPCB and government authorities.
The CPCL said as part of its relief efforts, it has presented 11,000 rice bags and 6,000 grocery bags among other materials to the State Nodal Officer.
The impacted area has now been categorised into four stretches for intensive review and mitigation. Each stretch will be taken care of by a dedicated team to complete the mitigation process by 18 or 19 December, the release said.
The oil spill that happened on 4 December from the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) contaminated the Kosasthalaiyar river via the Buckingham Canal.
An oil slick has been formed near the Ennore Creek located on the North of Chennai following heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Michaung which brought 36 hours of incessant rain from 3 December causing severe flooding in the state capital.
The oil spill reached the Bay of Bengal via Ennore Creek, leaving the shores and the water unfit for fishing.
If the layer of oil on the water prevents oxygen permeation, there would be a massive loss of marine life.
CPCL has removed only a small quantity through oil-absorbent pads, and it has not made adequate progress to the satisfaction of the TNPCB.
It was also found that another firm, Toshiba-JSW, had not “properly handled” waste oil that may have been mixed in Buckingham Canal.
TNPCB said, “This unit is now being thoroughly investigated by the TNPCB to initiate action if it is proved that there are violations.”
Days ago, the CPCL authorities were instructed by the TNPCB to use booms and gully sucker machines as part of measures to contain and eliminate oil from water, and the company accordingly commenced operations.
The CPCL had earlier informed that (as of 8 December 2023) they have curtailed oil reaching the Buckingham Canal.
The TNPCB quoted CPCL as stating that they drained stagnant water following rains and floods, and in the process, “oily matter” on the ground could have found its way to the canal.
It added, “They (CPCL) informed that there was no leakage from the tank farm area, process area including pipelines carrying raw material and product.”
Other oil industries of North Chennai located in Tondiarpet and Kodungaiyur said there was no leak from their facilities.
The Tamil Nadu government constituted a technical team on 10 December to ascertain the cause of the recent oil leak in the Ennore Creek area.
Based on the team’s report and recommendations of the TNPCB’s field officials, the CPCL has been directed to comply with specific conditions.
Such conditions are remedial measures on war footing to remove oil deposits/oil slick and ensure that all pipelines and tanks have absolutely no leakage.
“If CPCL is found to discharge oil containing water/ polluted water against the norms set out for industries under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, their operations are liable to be suspended.”
The CPCL shall also be liable to pay compensation, which includes environmental compensation for damage to families adversely hit by oil spills and loss of livelihood.
The CPCL must undertake a comprehensive mapping study with a reputed technical institution to identify oil spread areas and furnish the report action plan. It must ensure that no such leak happens in future, the TNPCB said in its report filed in the NGT-Southern bench.
(With PTI inputs)
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