ANIL SHANKHWALKAR
SALIGAO
An oil spill in the sea is considered an environment disaster, but a similar oil spill touching the water sump at the Porvorim police station is considered acceptable by law enforcement agencies.
How else does one explain the failure to tackle thick layers of oil around the 70-odd corroded oil barrels abandoned at the Porvorim police station for eight long years, despite concerns being raised by the health and electricity departments?
Fears have also been raised by the staff at the police station, as any oil seepage into the water sump would contaminate the drinking water supply, endangering the lives of the police force and visitors to the police station.
Explaining the presence of the scores of oil barrels at the Povorim police station, a source said: “The Crime Branch had seized the 70-odd oil barrels after raiding a site at Marcela in 2008. These oil barrels were dumped at the Porvorim police station and have not been moved or removed for eight years.”
“But what has worried us is that the oil has been seeping from these corroded barrels and the thick oil layer have touched the water sump, which provides water supply to the police staff and visitors at the station,” the source added.
Responding to concerns, a health team from Aldona Primary Health Centre had visited the Porvorim Police station and had raised objections to the presence of the oil barrels as it was injurious to health. The health team had also advised the police officials to remove the barrels.
The electricity department has also inspected the site and had instructed the Porvorim Police to remove the oil barrels, as the inflammable liquid could easily lead to a fire mishap.
“Besides contaminating the water, there is always a danger that these oil barrels could catch fire, threatening life and property,” said the source.
“Mindful of the danger, the Porvorim police had written several letters to the Crime Branch, requesting the removal of the oil barrels from the station. However, the Crime Branch does not seem to have acted on these requests, as is evident from the fact that these oil barrels have not been removed so far,” the source added.
Crime Branch Superintendent of Police Kartik Kashyap did not respond to several calls made to him, to get his comments in the matter.
Speaking to The Goan, a reliable source at the Crime Branch sought to explain the difficulties in removing the oil barrels.
“A case is still pending in the court, which is why we could not dispose off these barrels from the premises of Porvorim police station,” justified the source.
“And even if we do get a clearance to remove these oil barrels, ground realities make it difficult to do so. These barrels are badly corroded after being exposed to the vagaries of the weather and could easily give way when attempts are made to move them,” the source added.
Confirming that the Crime Branch had received multiple letters from the Porvoim Police station requesting them to shift these oil barrels, the source added: “The matter is under consideration.”
