Days after Cyclone Michaung’s devastating floods hit Chennai, an oil spill in the city’s northern Ennore area has sparked a blame game between the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL). The spill, affecting the Buckingham Canal, has compounded the woes of local residents already grappling with flood damage.
The TNPCB has instructed CPCL to thoroughly map the impacted zones and develop a detailed action plan. An investigation by a technical team revealed that the spill originated from a CPCL facility and was exacerbated by the floods. The TNPCB criticized CPCL for poor stormwater management and mandated the company to pinpoint oil spill hotspots and take corrective actions. Failure to comply could lead to operational suspension. CPCL is also required to compensate families affected by the spill, which has caused health issues and environmental damage.
Residents living near the Buckingham Canal have reported a persistent oil stench, respiratory problems, and skin infections. Catherine from Wimco Nagar lamented, “All my designer clothes and cosmetics were ruined by oil just before a competition in Kerala.” Shanmugam, a 50-year-old local, shared his struggles with a urinary infection, spending ₹1500 on medication without recovery. Saradha, an elderly resident, suffers from severe skin rashes after coming into contact with the oil while moving her cattle. Nithya, a mother of two, emphasized the need for scientific cleaning of their homes and streets.
NDTV traced the spill’s impact over four kilometers, revealing severe environmental damage at the Ennore estuary. Fishing boats and nets were coated in oil, and the shoreline is marked by black deposits. Suresh, head of the fishermen’s association, expressed concern over the loss of livelihood, noting, “The spill is spreading into the sea, affecting our ability to fish.”
Environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman criticized the government’s delay in addressing the spill, arguing that immediate containment measures were necessary. Despite CPCL’s denial of leakage last week, the National Green Tribunal has stepped in, raising hopes for accountability. The pressing question remains whether the state will hold CPCL responsible for the disaster’s extensive impact on affected residents.
