BMC's investigations reveal oil was disposed of in a drain near Mantralaya which led to the leak in the sea
After an image of polluted water entering the sea along Marine Drive went viral on Saturday, preliminary investigations made by BMC seem to suggest that the substance was oil and it reached the sea through the storm water drain (SWD).
Investigations by the A ward of BMC revealed that the oily substance was also found in the SWD near Mantralaya. On March 18 DNA had reported this issue (Polluted water entering sea raises concern) after the image was shared on social media.
Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner, A ward said, "The oily substance could be oil grease which was disposed in the storm water drain and it reached the sea." He added that some of the manholes could not opened due to traffic permissions near Mantralaya and these would be opened on Tuesday morning to find the source from where it was poured.
The image of the dirty water entering the sea that did the rounds on the internet looked dark and muddy. The photo was shared on Twitter by Gautam Vaishnav who informed that the picture was shot by his friend from the Trident Hotel. In fact, he had tagged Mumbai Police and even Chief Minister's office, it was Mumbai Police twitter handle that replied stating that it had informed the BMC's disaster cell and even stated that the complaint number was 8532.
Dighavkar said that no one is allowed to throw any kind of material in storm water drains as it is mainly used for rainwater. "If during investigations, anyone is found guilty, the BMC will issue a notice and also take appropriate action," said Dighavkar. He added that the guilty will also face action from the Mumbai Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Meanwhile, upset over such oily discharge being allowed to freely enter the sea, Pradip Patade, a marine enthusiast who has been documenting marine life along the coast of Mumbai, said, "The sewage has already been affecting marine species and if such oil begins to regularly enter the sea it will create huge damage to several sensitive marine species." He said that the BMC should take strict action against such offenders.
MURKY WATERS
- The bird's eye view image of Marine Drive that showed the dark and muddy water was first posted by Gautam Vaishnav on Twitter who said it was clicked by his friend from the nearby Trident.
- Vaishnav tagged Mumbai Police and the CM's office in his tweet.
- Mumbai Police replied saying it had alerted the BMC's Disaster Cell
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