'IOCL' oil spill in Kaudia River: OSPCB begins investigation

Bhubaneswar/Paradip: A day after reports of an oil spill allegedly from the pipelines of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) in the Kaudia River at Atharbanki in Paradip, a team of officials of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) visited the spot today and collected water samples for tests.

The oil spill was first noticed by some local fishermen yesterday and suspecting leakage from IOCL pipeline, informed the officials of the pollution control board.

"We have collected samples from the river to check if there was really a leak or someone threw the oil into the river. After the investigation, everything will be clear," said Assistant Scientific Officer of OSPCB, Pradeep Rout.

IOCL officials also visited the spot today. However, they denied commenting on the incident stating that they are not authorised to divulge anything.

Meanwhile, locals have demanded a permanent solution citing that such incidents often happen in the region making their life miserable. They also alleged that oil spill from the pipeline of IOCL and discharge of waste materials by other industries have led to massive pollution of the water bodies in the region.