Tamil Nadu: Oil Spill Occurs Off Nagapattinam Coast Due To Crack In Pipeline; State Government To Constitute Committee To Study Quantum Of Leak

An oil spill has occurred in the sea off the coast of Nagapattinam due to a crack in a pipeline owned by the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL). Nagapattinam is a seaport under the control of the state government.

The crack occurred near the fishing village of Pattinamcherry. Some residents complained about skin and eye irritation and protested saying that the pipeline should be shifted away from their area.

The district administration as well as officials from the CPCL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) rushed to the spot and located the crack. The Coast Guard has conducted an aerial survey to find out the extent of the oil spill.

District Collector A Arun Thamburaj said that all steps are being taken to control the damage caused by the oil spill but work is being slowed down by strong waves. He added that the spill does not seem have to have spread more than 50 metres from the shoreline.

Environment Secretary Supriya Sahu has said that the state government would constitute an expert committee to study the quantum of the oil spill and suggest remedial measures.

In 2017, the state saw a major oil spill near the Ennore port. It was caused by the collision of two ships.