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

New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) There is no cause for concern "at
this point of time" over the oil spill from a sunk cargo
vessel off the Mumbai coast, Indian Government on Monday 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.
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.
Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Chairman S P Gautam has gone to Mumbai to look into the the
situation arising out of the oil spill due to sinking of MV
Rak Carrier off Mumbai Harbour.
He will coordinate with the state Govenment, Maharashtra
Pollution Control Board (MPCB), DG (Shipping), National
Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and other organisations in
assessing the damage to the marine environment and to plan and
implement immediate remediation measures.