Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board issues directions to CPCL Ennore Creek Oil spill
The Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board has issued directions to Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited on Ennore Creek Oil spillage. The oil spill in Ennore Creek and the neighbouring areas created water pollution where the oil spill mixed with flood waters got deposited in houses situated nearby. Following which the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board took action.
A team of officials from the Board visited the areas and identified the cause of the oil leak. The Pollution Control Board had submitted a report which noted that the oil spill had happened from the premises of CPCL into the Buckingham canal reaching Ennore Creek and also said that there were inadequate storm water management issues in CPCL.
The Board asked CPCL to identify hot spots in Buckingham canal, Ennore Creek and adjoining area where the oil deposits and oil slick are stagnated and take necessary remedial measures on war footing basis and asked them to ensure that all pipelines carrying raw materials and products and the tanks in which oil is stored are intact with no leakage.
The Board said that if it is found to discharge oil containing water and polluted water against the norms,their operations are liable to be suspended and they will be liable to pay environmental compensation for any damages caused in contravention of the extant provisions under the water pollution Act.
The statement from the Pollution Control Board said that CPCL shall also be liable to pay compensation to the families adversely impacted due to the oil spillage including the loss of livelihood.
The Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena has directed District Collectors of Tiruvallur and Chennai to convene the meeting of the District Level Oil spill Crisis Management group and the State Oil Spill Crisis Management Group to monitor the matter on a daily basis till the completion of mitigation and relief works.
