Residents of Matvem Dabolim have raised serious concerns over water contamination of well in the locality. The residents revealed that the well water stinks of petroleum products. Residents in Dabolim are worried that a petroleum or naphtha pipeline may be leaking, causing flammable substances to seep into the ground and contaminate ground water.
Neelima Naik, a local panch, demonstrated how water drawn from a well may catch fire when brought contact with a flame. She claimed that six nearby wells and the nearby streams seemed to be contaminated. The region is located below the petroleum pipelines. Oil companies have been asked to immediately stop supplying oil through these pipes.
She urged the locals to stop using water from the wells. Given how serious the situation is, the residents also approached the local biodiversity board, health department, pollution control board, Disaster Management Authority, and other authorities. The residents reported that over the past three days, they were experiencing foul smell from the well.
The wells have been sealed after petroleum components were found in the wells. According to the fire brigade staff’s initial assessment, the wells have been contaminated due to leakage in the IOC at the Zuari tank line.
