30,000 barrels of oil spilled in Mumbai harbour

The rupture in ONGC's Mumbai-Uran pipeline resulted in about 30,000 barrels of crude leaking into the ocean, an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) official said on Friday.

According to the ICG, they received information regarding a rupture in the pipeline, leading to leakage of crude oil, in the morning. "We immediately launched operation 'Paryavaran Suraksha' to mitigate the effects of the oil spill," ICG DIG Mukesh Purohit said.

He said two ships, ICGS Sangram and C-145, which were patrolling off the Mumbai coastline, were diverted to the area of the oil spill for assessment and containment. According to the Coast Guard, Dornier Aircraft were used to carry out a preliminary assessment of the total area and quantum of the oil spill.

In addition, Pollution Control Vehicle Samudra Prahari was used to contain and

recover oil from the area, the officials said.

He also said that reasons behind the oil spill were not known, but ruled out any possibility of sabotage. Meanwhile, the ICG has formally served a notice on ONGCover the oil spill. "We and the DG Shipping have served notice to ONGC asking them to help us in the salvage operation. It is a normal procedure", said Purohit.

Purohit said that the situation was brought under control by 1600 hours and there is no threat to the Maharashtra coastline and fisherman will not be affected. He also said the reasons behind the oil spill were not known, but ruled out any possibility of sabotage. Meanwhile, the ICG has formally served a notice on ONGCfor the oil spill. "We and DG shipping have served notice to ONGC asking them to help us in the salvage operation. It is a normal procedure," said Purohit.