Lok Sabha Question No. 4038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Environmental Damage caused by CPCL
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4038

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  DECEMBER 2024

## Environmental Damage caused by CPCL

4038. Thiru Dayanidhi Maran:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government and Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) to address the environmental damage caused by the oil spill in Ennore; (b) the criteria and mechanism by which CPCL ensure the restoration of the affected ecosystems, particularly the mangroves and wetlands, as directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT); (c) whether the CPCL have a disaster management and mitigation framework in place to prevent such incidents in the future, if so, the details thereof along with the details to strengthen the postincident measures; (d)  whether  the  CPCL  ensure  transparency  in  the  remediation  process  in  providing  periodic updates to the State Government and the public, if so, the details thereof; (e)  whether  the  CPCL  complied  with  all  the  directives  issued  by  the  Tamil  Nadu  Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and NGT, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the challenges faced in compliance of the said directives; and (f) whether CPCL has any plan to address the socio-economic damage costs highlighted by the

TNPCB by issuing show-cause notice and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी ( ᮰ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (f) Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has undertaken restoration activities in coordination  with  the  Tamil  Nadu  State  Government  Authorities,  the  Tamil  Nadu  Forest Department, and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to address the environmental damage caused by the oil spill in Ennore in December, 2023. Bioremediation of mangrove area was carried out by the use of herbal nano bio-dispersant on the advice of TNPCB through  National  Institute  of  Oceanography  (NIO),  Goa.  CPCL  provided  daily  updates  to  the State Government authorities. Post restoration activities, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by the Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) concluded that there is no environmental impact attributable to the oil spill. Further, CPCL has an Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP) to address scenarios including oil spill which has been revised in the year 2024.

CPCL has complied with the directives issued by  the TNPCB with respect to oil spill which inter-alia, included providing permanent booms in the Buckingham Canal stretch at proper interval right from the upstream of the unit up to Kargil Nagar and also in the storm water canal near  North  and  South  gates  leading  to  Buckingham  Canal  and  Kosasthaliyar  river,  Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) for pollutant parameters such as pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Oil Grease  at  the outlet  of  ponds were installed, cleaning operation in Buckingham Canal and Ennore creek area, bioremediation of the oil spill area, installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the storm water network leading outside the premises, disposal of oil mixed water and oil laden soil/debris collected from Ennore  creek  area.  CPCL  has  also  complied  with  the  directives  of  National  Green  Tribunal (NGT)  which  inter-alia  included  remediation  of  oil  water  in  a  scientific/safe  method  and providing medical facilities and safety gears like gloves and masks to local fishermen to ensure their health and safety.

CPCL has also implemented recommendations from a study conducted by M/s Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) and the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) which inter-alia, included increasing rainwater collection capacity by 60% with construction of 3 new rainwater ponds, increasing height of rainwater collection ponds, construction of ramps/bund  wall  to  prevent  entry  of  flood  water,  installation  of  six  additional  oil  catchers, providing online analyzers at the outlet of Storm Water Ponds, installation of containment booms at 8 locations at the outlet of CPCL and de-silting/de-vegetation of natural water passages with concerned State Authorities through Manali Industrial Association.

An assessment of  compensation has been carried out by Commissionerate of Revenue Administration  and  Disaster  Management,  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  and  directed  CPCL  to deposit  Rs.  7.53  Crores  as  a  relief  amount,  which  was  deposited  by  CPCL  on  19.12.2023. TNPCB  has  subsequently  issued  a  show-cause  notice  to  CPCL  on  21.11.2024  for  socioeconomic and environmental damage. This matter is currently pending before the NGT.

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