Petroleum Ministry Joint Secy appears before Green Tribunal

CHENNAI: A senior official of Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry today appeared before the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal complying with its directive in connection with contamination of drinking water by oil spill from the pipeline in a northern suburb here.

Joint Secretary R K Singh from the Ministry, who appeared before Justice P Jyothimani, submitted samples of the contaminated water had been sent for testing to get details of the oil spillage.

The bench is hearing a petition by one V P Krishnamoorthy of Washermenpet here who submitted drinking water supply in his area was contaminated following an oil spill and seeking regulatory method for the regulation of pipes supplying oil.

The Tribunal had on August 2 directed the appearance of any senior officer from the Ministry. Since no official turned up, it later directed an officer in the rank of Joint Secretary to appear today.

Singh submitted the samples of contaminated water of the oil spilled area had been sent to IIT for testing, following which the judge adjourned the matter after two weeks.