CPCB to act on Matvem contamination

Vasco: The central pollution control board (CPCB) has taken cognisance of groundwater pollution at Matvem, Dabolim due to seepage of a petroleum product. More than a month ago, some water sources were found contaminated due to leakage in the oil pipeline.
The leakage was plugged nearly 20 days after the incident was reported. The oil company stated that seepage was sealed.However, the residents contended that the contamination has not stopped.
“It is about 50 days since the leakage was detected. But, we can still see an oil slick in the wells and a nullah,” a local said.
Congress functionary Elvis Gomes said that “the CPCB chairman has assigned the water quality management division-I, divisional headed by P K Mishra and Vishal Gandhi to take action in the matter”.
He said the state government failed to respond timely to the situation.
“The state pollution control board should have acted as the presence of oil in groundwater is injurious to the environment and public health,” Gomes said.