No cause for concern from oil spill off Mumbai coast: Jayanthi

There is no cause for concern “at this point of time” over the oil spill from a sunk cargo vessel off the Mumbai coast, Government today said while assuring that steps are being taken to prevent damage to the marine environment along the coast.

Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said the Coast Guard is using oil spill dispersant and spraying the dispersant from helicopters to control the spill.

“There is no cause for concern at this point of time. We are constantly reviewing the situation,” the Minister said.

The Ministry said the Coast Guard, being the designated national agency for management of oil spills, has stationed their oil pollution response vessel Samudra Prahari at the site to deal with pollution arising from the sunken vessel.

“Coast Guard has launched Operation Suraksha 02/11 to prevent damage to the fragile marine environment along Maharashtra coast,” the Ministry said.

“As reported by the Coast Guard, the oil slick is being neutralised by Samudra Prahari, using oil spill dispersant and the Coast Guard is also using helicopters to monitor the situation and for aerial spray of the dispersant to contain the oil spread,” it said.

Ms. Natarajan said the Centre is in regular contact with the state government, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Director General, Shipping and the Indian Coast Guard.