Chennai oil spill: NGT seeks report in 24 hours

Nearly two weeks after an oil tanker and an LPG tanker collided off Kamarajar Port in Ennore, nearly 5,000 volunteers are still struggling to clean up the sludge along the Chennai coastline

The National Green Tribunal on Monday sought a report on the Chennai oil spill within 24 hours. The NGT has asked the Central government to present before it the facts of the oil spill and the measures being taken to clean up the sludge. Ten days after the oil spill, close to 5,000 volunteers are struggling to clean up the Chennai coastline of the sludge.

In a petition filed before the NGT, petitioner Ashwini Kumar has named ministry of environment and forests, the ministry of shipping, the Tamil Nadu chief secretary, the Tamil Nadu state pollution control board as well as the owners of offending ships as parties.

"The fish and all the other aquatic animals have become victims to the widespread disaster caused by the two vessels as a result of their negligence," the plea said.

Meanwhile, clean up operations are still underway at the Ennore port that is worst affected by the oil spill. With machines unable to clear the sludge, manual clearance is being carried out. While the number of volunteers doubled over the weekend, the massive spill is likely to take more time to clean up. While the Kamarajar port authorities are carrying out an inquiry into the incident, a first information report has been filed against both shipping companies by the police.

OneIndia News