State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) said there was a serious oil leakage from a damaged pipeline at Kamote in Navi Mumbai along the Sion-Panvel highway. The line developed a crack, losing thousands of litres.
While officials feared some of the oil might have entered the green mangroves area, the company said representatives from the local forest department observed the mangroves were away from the site and not affected.
“HPCL has taken urgent and substantial measures to ensure the site of oil leakage is safe and the effect on environment is minimised,” the company stated.
“Continuous evacuation of spilled oil, mixed with road side drain water, is (being) carried out using suckers. The thin layer of oil on the adjoining drain is being sucked by using special booms and skimmers.”
The company has placed absorbents on the drain-end and barred the affected portion from the rest of the drain. HPCL said the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board had expressed satisfaction on the remedial measures.
