Oil spill from TTPL sparks environmental concerns

Thiruvananthapuram: A leakage in the pipeline carrying furnace oil to the boiler at

Travancore Titanium Products Ltd

(TTPL) on Wednesday caused oil spill in the sea along Shanghumugham-Veli coast forcing a temporary ban on visit to tourism spots and fishing activities for 48 hours. Tourists will be prohibited from entering Veli, Sanghumugham and Vettucaud beaches on Thursday too.

The pipeline carrying the furnace oil runs above the drainage line and the spilled oil directly flowed into the drainage line leading to the sea. About 5,000 litres of oil is estimated to have been leaked. High-pressure pumping caused excessive leakage following the pipe burst. The authorities said approximately 2,000 litres of oil must have spilt into the sea.

Later in the day, the TTPL stopped operations following a directive from the pollution control board. PCB issued a letter to TTPL expressing strong objection over the company’s failure to inform it about the oil spill. The agency has instructed PCB instructed TTPL not to resume operations until containment, cleansing and disposal measures are completed.

An emergency response team has managed to contain the flow by blocking the drainage line. The recovery of spilt oil has also been initiated. With sea waves washing ashore the oil, thick tar has been formed on the beach. Saw dust is being sprayed over the tar which is then scooped up and stored at TTPL and will be disposed of scientifically. The team is also in talks with technical firms to engage machinery for the recovery of oil sediments. The damaged pipeline will be replaced.

Generally, around 26,000 litres of furnace oil are stored at TTPL and 12,000 litres are used daily to generate steam and for other burning purposes. Such an oil leakage has been reported at TTPL for the first time and the company has initiated an internal inquiry. An acid plant is generally used to generate steam but as it was shut down, furnace oil was used for the purpose.

A Coast Guard ship and an aircraft conducted surveillance over the coastal area following the oil spill. The officials of pollution control board visited the site and assessed the situation. District authorities havedirected TTPL to remove the sand littered with oil on the beach from Vettucaud to Veli.

A report prepared for Thiruvananthapuram by the state disaster management authority in 2016 had stressed the need for formulation of an oil spill contingency plan for the coastline.

It had focused more on causes arising from increased coastal transport owing to the upcoming Vizhinjam port.