FURNACE OIL FROM TITANIUM FACTORY SPILLS INTO SEA

• Be N By IAS, Delhi
• 10, Feb 2021

For: GS-3: Environment

CONTEXT:

• An emergency clean-up was launched along the coast to mitigate the fallout of furnace oil leak into the sea from the Kerala government undertaking Travancore Titanium Products Ltd. (TTP) at Kochuveli, near the State capital.
• The leakage occurred around 7 a.m., but it went unnoticed at the time. The oil spilled out into a drain that opens out into the nearby beach, contaminating the beach and coastal waters.

OIL SPILLS:

• 5000 litres oil Spills: Officials put the spillage, caused by a rupture in a pipeline carrying the oil, at roughly 5,000 litres.
• Closed for Public and Tourists: The district administration declared the coastal stretches along Shanghumughom, Vettucaud and Veli off-limits to the public and tourists for two days.

FISHING BANNED

• Fishing activities along these regions also stand banned as a precautionary measure.
• Local outrage: Locals, largely comprising the fishing community, expressed outrage over the oil leak, blaming the TTP for negligence. The leak was promptly plugged once the alarm was raised around 8 a.m., TTP officials said.
• Impact: They alleged that the oil leak would have a prolonged impact on marine resources, and consequently, their livelihood.

PROBE ORDERED:

• Under control: Officials visited TTP and the affected coastal stretch, said the situation was under control.
• Investigation by PCB: Investigation to be taken place by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB).
• Internal Investigation: TTP too ordered an internal investigation. A preliminary survey revealed that the oil spill was largely confined to near-shore waters and the beach.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

• Top soil removal: As a troubleshooting measure, the top soil along the affected stretch of coast would be removed.
• Monitoring: The Coast Guard is closely monitoring the situation using a ship and a Dornier aircraft.

SOURCE: The Hindu