Oily substance found floating on Odisha coast alarms fishermen, local folks

BHUBANESWAR: An oily substance was found floating on the seawater surface near Odisha’s Paradip coast on Saturday afternoon, giving rise to apprehension among the environmentalists. The local residents found the waves of the sea became frothier and the colour of the water became green.

While the alleged chemical effluent discharged from a local factory is being blamed for it, the environmentalists have expressed concern, saying it may cause harm to marine animals.

“After getting information from the fishermen, I visited the spot to see for myself. On reaching, I saw an oily substance floating on the water surface. As per the information I have collected, the condition is prevailing on the entire stretch starting from Paradip to Gahirmatha. As if the low pressures and increasing diesel price are not enough, this would further jeopardize the occupation of the fishermen,” said Odisha Marine Fish Producers’ Association president, Srikant Parida.

On being informed, the officials of the local Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery project inspected the spot. Besides, the officials of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) collected water samples from several places.

When contacted, General Manager of IOCL Om Prakash told the media that the allegation of oil leakage against the IOCL refinery was baseless and there was no seepage at all.”

Informing about the incident, OSPCB scientist Dibyalochan Mohapatra said, “On being informed that an oily sludge-type substance was floating on seawater near Paradip, I visited the spot. I have collected samples and anything can be said only after examination.”