Chennai coast oil spill problem is alarming

Chennai : The oil spill in the previous week near the Chennai’s Ennore Port caused by accidental collision of two oil tankers seems to be 10 times larger than the original estimate. This will cause additional delay of 2 weeks to clean the Ennore coast, as per the predictions of the Coast guards. The ghastly after effects of the oil spill are visible not only on the Ennore coast but also on other coasts of Tamil Nadu. This issue also seems to have echoed in the parliament as it was presented in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

On 28th January, the CNG carrying vessel ‘MT BW MAPLE’ and the petroleum lubricant carrying vessel ‘MT DAWN KANCHEEPURAM’ collided and lead to hundreds of tons of fuel leak. Later on, the coast guards had undertaken the work of removing the oil layer spreading on the surface of the sea.

Since last 2 days, a large part of the Tamil Nadu coast line is covered with a huge layer of Oil and sludge. Along with the coastal gaurds thousands of volunteers are aiding in this work. But, the coast guards raised their concerns stating that looking at the quantity of oil removed so far, the oil spillage is more than 10 times the initial estimate.

The Kamarajar Port near Ennore has a thick layer of oil spread across 34000 square meters. The oil layer is also seen near Palavakkam which is 35 km away from the collision site. The oil spill is spreading with enormous speed and many coastlines including the famous Marina beach in Chennai have a thick layer of oil on the coasts. Since past two days large scale efforts were made to remove the oil layer from Marina beach and it’s said that so far 80% of the removal is completed. But oil removal from other coast lines could take additional one and half to two weeks. It’s reported that the major quantity of sludge is on the north side of the Chennai port and the condition of R.K Nagar Kuppam Beach is very critical.

On Friday almost 72 tons of oil was removed from this area. Also it is reported that almost 600 tons of oil has been removed till date. But still, a large amount of sludge is clearly visible at Chennai and it’s nearby coasts. The oil layer spread on the surface of the sea is also clearly visible.

Meanwhile, the 2 vessels which collided have been instructed not to leave the coastline until the investigation is completed. Directorate General of Shipping is conducting an inquiry of the whole incident. The two shipping companies are solely responsible for the oil spill and there should be been efforts by these two ships to stop oil spill after the collision, said the coast guards. Meanwhile, few MPs from Tamil Nadu have placed this issue in the Rajya Sabha. They met the Prime Minister in this relation and demanded the job of removal of the oil layer must be done on war front.

Incidents of loss of marine life have come in light because of the oil spill. It has also come across that the fishing in this area is getting terribly affected due to this oil spill.