PARADIP: Frequent theft of huge quantity of oil by cutting the pipelines of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has given rise to concern over environmental pollution as oil leaking from the damaged pipes is contaminating nearby water bodies.
The four-lane pipelines of IOCL extending upto 15 km from oil berth to the oil refinery pass through isolated places. It crosses mangrove forest and is a threat to marine species.
Though a racket involving security guard, some employees of Indian Oil besides police has been active in the illegal activity since long, no steps have been taken to nab the culprits.
Besides, some gangs are taking advantage of the laxity of police. On Sunday, some gang members drilled a hole on a pipeline of IOCL on Kaudia riverbed and placed a valve to extract fuel. They used nearly 100 metre long plastic pipeline to extract the fuel in jerkins. Some security guards found the plastic pipes and jerkins and informed IOCL officials and Marine police. The items have been seized, said IIC of Marine police station AnirudhaRoutray. But no case has been registered as no FIR was lodged by IOCL, he added. Police have not yet unearthed the oil theft racket though nearly six such incidents have been reported in the last six months. On June 7 last year, the miscreants had cut a pipeline at the same place and placed a valve to extract fuel. An FIR was lodged and case registered but no arrests have been made so far.
On September 1 and November 15, 2015 too, such oil thefts were reported but no police action has been taken.
Senior Scientist of OSPCB PK Kar said, “We have collected samples of water from the spot for testing,” he added.
Oil spill
The four-lane pipelines of IOCL extending upto 15 km from oil berth to the refinery pass through isolated places
On May 22, a gang drilled hole on a pipeline of IOCL on Kaudia riverbed of Paradip and placed a valve to extract fuel
Such similar incidents were reported on June 7, September 1, November 15 last year. But, no action has been taken so far
