Mumbai oil spill situation under control: Chavan

Mumbai, Aug 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan sought to calm the nerves of the people over the disastorous oil spill off Mumbai coast assuring that the situation is now under control.

"The situation is under control now. I was briefed by the Coast Guard officials that the leakage from where the oil was spilling out from MSC Chitra has been plugged yesterday (Aug 9) and no further oil spill has been reported," Chavan said on Tuesday, Aug 10.

The oil spill was caused on Saturday, Aug 7 when two cargo vessels collided.

MSC Chitra, which was carrying fuel, is estimated to have spilled 400-500 metric tonnes of oil into the waters, the CM said in response to a question after reviewing the oil spill situation at the Coast Guard headquarters in Worli.

The chemical dispersion exercise is underway and experts from Singapore have begun their operations, he said.

"The exercise to remove remaining oil from MSC Chitra will be initiated by respective agencies from August 13," Chavan informed, adding that the decision on the restoration of traffic at Mumbai harbour would be taken after a review meeting with respective agencies.

OneIndia News