MPCB claims Rs 3-cr damages for oil spill

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has claimed damages of Rs 3 crore to clean up the oil spill in Mumbai harbor following the collision of MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia on August 7.

State environment ministry sources told Business Standard: “These claims have been against two shipping companies through the Directorate General of Shipping.”

The other claims in damage to the environment and marine life will be made once National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) completes the environment impact assessment study.

The cleaning of 400 tonnes of oil, which had leaked after the collision is necessary. Sources said a total of 2,662 tonnes of heavy oil, 284 tonnes of diesel and 88 tonnes of lubricants were reported to be on board the MSC Chitra.

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had told the Parliament that the polluter must pay. “Studies by different institutions have been commissioned for ascertaining the impact of the oil spill on the fishery sector and other economic losses,” Ramesh had said.