Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed all the Oil/Gas companies to draft disaster contingency plans, with special focus on effective system to tackle crisis resulting out of oil or gas leakage.
Further, as a part of its oil spill disaster contingency plan on the tar ball effect, the Board has asked Captain of Ports (CoP) and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to identify an area for Space Refuge, where any leaking or disabled vessels can be sheltered for safety.
GSPCB Wednesday held a meeting to review the Goa state oil spill disaster contingency plan in view of the Indian Coast Guard’s national oil spill disaster contingency plan in regards to tar ball effect.
GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said, “The companies will also be asked to conduct awareness drives within the vicinity, warning and giving safety guidelines in case of possible oil or gas leakage in the area.”
The Board has also decided to constitute a Crisis Management Group at the district level headed by Collector and at the local level, in coastal areas prone to oil spills, chaired by deputy collector. “Both these proposals would be moved to the government for approval,” Noronha said.
The review meeting was attended by several stakeholders including representatives from CoP, MPT, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Services, District Collectors and others.
Goa was the first State to roll out an oil spill disaster contingency plan. The State’s plan is designed to enhance its ability to respond to a spill and lists roles and responsibilities both preventive and during exigencies.
