A high-level probe was ordered by the Kerala government into the leakage of furnace oil from Travancore Titanium Products in Thiruvananthapuram to the Arabian sea.
The local fishermen raised concerns that the leakage of around 5,000-litre furnace oil to the sea on Wednesday could affect the marine resources. Even a sea turtle was found dead in the seashore aggravating the concerns of the fishing community. There were also allegations of lapses on the part of TTP officials in spotting the leakage in time.
Industries Minister E P Jayarajan said that a comprehensive probe would be carried out in the wake of the allegations and the concerns over environmental hazards caused by the furnace oil leakage.
TTP, which manufactures Titanium dioxide pigments, was temporarily shut following the incident. It is located close to the sea. Efforts to clean the seashore was also progressing. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board was also reviewing the situation.
(Published 11 February 2021, 15:19 IST)
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