August 9, 2010 6:33 PM

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PM calls report from Shipping Ministry on Mumbai oil spill

Concerned over the oil spill following collision of two cargo ships off Mumbai coast, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a report from the Shipping Ministry on the incident. The issue was also raised in the Rajya Sabha where Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said legal action has been initiated against owners of the two vessels.Meanwhile, the Navy and the Coast Guard are carrying out anti-pollution operations for the third day today to check and neutralise the oil spill. According to Coast Guard sources, MSC Chitra, a Panamian vessel which collided with another vessel, has tilted 80 degrees leading to further oil spill. Mumbai Port Trust has appointed a Netherlands-based company to control the oil-spill. Directorate General of Shipping's Chief Nautical Advisor M M Saggi said Coast Guard officials are working hard to find out the leakage. The oil-spill is a major concern as one of the vessels was carrying over 2,000 tonnes of oil. All coastal districts of Maharashtra are on high alert as the oil slick has spread to the Alibaug and Uran areas, and also close to Elephanta caves. Concerns are that it may also affect the mangrove belt along the coastline. The Coast Guard has said it will be tough to contain the oil-spill because of tidal conditions.Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today undertook an aerial survey of the oil spill off the Mumbai coast. He said, the state government was taking all necessary steps to contain the spill and described it as a matter of concern.

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