Oily substance found floating on sea water surface in Paradip, environmentalists express concern

An oily substance was found floating on the seawater surface near Paradip coast on Saturday, giving rise to apprehension among the environmentalists. 

Local residents today woke up only to find the waves of the sea became frothier and the colour of the water became green. While chemical effluent discharged from a 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 was floating on the water surface. As per the information I have collected, the condition is prevailing on the entire stretch starting from Paradip IOCL 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 IOCL oil refinery inspected the spot while the officials of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) collected water samples from several places. 

When contacted, General Manager of IOCL Om Prakash said, “The allegations against the IOCL are baseless. There is no leakage 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.”