DABOLIM FUEL LEAK
The bluish liquid visible from the contaminated well at Matvem-Dabolim.
VASCO
When a well was sealed after it was found contaminated with traces of fuel at Matvem-Dabolim on November 27, the issue quickly turned into a major hazard as wells and water bodies in the area also became contaminated, prompting joint operations by the oil tanking company, various state agencies and even a sniffer dog from Punjab.
With the highest concentration of hazardous installations and following a number of major mishaps involving naphtha, ammonia and fuel contamination, it is for good reason that Mormugao taluka has earned the unenviable status of being considered the State’s potential disaster zone and a ticking time bomb.
The latest fuel contamination in wells and water bodies has exposed residents to a hazard not just in Matvem-Dabolim but it also potentially poses a serious threat in Vasco City and two other villages as well, since a 14-km pipeline passes through a densely populated route covering MPA, Desterro-Baina (Vasco), Baina Beach (Vasco), Varunapur (Vasco), Shantinagar (Vasco), Airport Road (Chicalim), Dabolim-Bogmalo Junction (Chicalim), Valles Junction (Sancoale), MES College junction (Sancoale) and the ZIAVL Tanks (Sancoale).
FRUSTRATION, MISTRUST
Matvem Panch Neelam Naik, who took the lead in alerting various state agencies after the well was found with traces of fuel, has filed a police complaint in the matter. She is upset with state agencies and the oil tanking company, and plans to go on a token strike.
“My ward has around 22 wells in the ward comprising about 200 houses and 700 residents. With wells and water bodies contaminated with fuel how can we even trust is the water will be fit for drinking ever again? The fuel contamination has even reached our paddy fields. To make matters worse, streams in the area flow into the Zuari River and our rich natural biodiversity can also be affected,” said Naik.
“I immediately alerted all possible agencies and though the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Water Resources Department, Health, Panchayat, fire department and Disaster Management teams arrived at the site, all they did was to seal the well and take samples of water. We locals have had no information whatsoever after that, nor are we aware of the findings or the probable level of danger that lies in store for us.”
“I am not at all satisfied with the disaster management team because the Mamlatdar told us action will be taken on the company after they receive a report and if that report indicates that the company is at fault.”
She also expressed her lack of trust in the ZIAVL.
“The ZIAVL has been clearing water from the well since November 22 and while we initially kept a count, we have now forgotten the number of tanker loads of water that has been pumped out. We do not even know where the water is being taken and if this contaminated water is being discharged in the open because we don't have any faith on the company," said Naik.
"All we hear is that agencies have been deployed, a sniffer dog has been pressed in service but where is the safety for the residents? We had to force the company to station an ambulance and a fire tender at site to cater to any untoward situation.”
“Initially, many residents did not cook in the house and got water from outside and we then demanded that water be supplied by tankers. Now that the company is facing the criticism, they may agree to our demands but how can we be sure that such leakages may not happen in the future?”
The panch said she was also unsure about police investigations in the matter.
“I had filed a police complaint but nothing seems to be happening and I am not aware of any development from the police station as well,” said Naik.
“As of now the company is promising us the moon and they even assured to replace the mud in the ground that may have been contaminated, but we are sure it is only an eyewash.”
“The oil tanking company and state authorities have taken the village for granted and taken this situation very lightly. I am frustrated over this casual and indifferent attitude and plan to go on a token strike,” she added.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Even though Vasco and surrounding areas have a number of vital installations prone to disasters, the disaster management authority has been accused of not having proper equipment of its own to handle a major disaster.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao had recently claimed that when the Congress had questioned the government on the disaster management in the recent assembly session, they received a reply that the disaster management authority is dependent on the Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Goa Shipyard Limited and Mormugao Port Authority for gadgets and equipment.
What is more concerning to residents in Vasco and surrounding areas is that a number of incidents in the past have failed to be an eye-opener for the disaster management authority and demands for a team from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) to be stationed in Goa have fallen on deaf ears.
Sometime in 2018, then Mormugao Dy Collector Mahadev Arondekar had suggested since with Vasco is home to hazardous installations, a National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) should have a base in Goa.
It was felt that an NDRF base would not only cater to Goa but also to nearby Konkan belt and Karwar areas.
In the past, several organisations and NGOs have been demanding that dangerous cargo be stopped from being handled at the port as it posed a serious threat to the lives of residents.
Many organisations have in the past made demands to have mock drills to check for preparedness of companies handling dangerous cargo.
While there have been mock drills, the disaster management authority is yet to have a mass public evacuation plan for people in Vasco and surrounding areas in an event of an actual disaster.
With the presence of hazardous installations at various locations and with the port handling cargo like fuel and liquid ammonia, equipping the police and firefighters with protective equipment like breathing devices, chemical suits, etc. was the need of the hour. But all this seems to be a distant dream.
Till measures are taken to ensure the safety of people, Mormugao will continue being considered the State’s potential disaster zone and a ticking time bomb.
