PANAJI
As the port town is grappling with heightened anxiety over the contamination of one of the wells in Matven-Dabolim ward, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) intervened, directing Zuari Indian Oiltanking Private Limited (ZIOPL) to halt the use of the alleged ruptured pipeline suspected to be the source of the contamination.
The affected well, located around 800 meters from ZIOPL’s tanking station, was flagged by its owner Jackson Fernandes to the local panchayat, prompting swift action from the concerned authorities.
The ZOIPL has its facility where the petroleum products are pumped from Vasco port, to the storage facility at Dabolim.
Speaking to The Goan, GSPCB Chairman Mahesh Patil said that a slight decrease in contamination levels has been reported as on Thursday. While ZIOPL has been on the job to cleanse the well using absorbent techniques, Patil emphasized precautionary measures.
“The contamination level has dropped slightly. However, in order to ensure safety of the people in the vicinity, we have directed ZIOPL to cease the use of the pipeline until the investigation is complete, root cause analysed and corrective steps are taken,” Patil said.
Various government agencies including district administration, fire & emergency services, Factories and boilers, among others spearheaded by GSPCB, have commenced an investigation, starting with the site visit.
Water samples were also collected, which will undergo testing at the GSPCB laboratory. A simultaneous testing will be conducted at the National Institute of Oceanography lab.
The GSPCB informed that the ZIOPL pipeline had been inactive since November 22 following the last ship’s refueling and departure to another destination. “An investigation will pinpoint the exact cause. The investigation also includes ‘breaking open’ the soil. In the meantime, we have taken all the precautionary measures to ensure everyone’s safety,” he added.
The ZIOPL is involved in service activities incidental to oil and gas extraction excluding surveying.
