New Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the national green tribunal has imposed a fine of rs 100 crore (approx. 150 million US dollars plz check) on a Qatar based shipping company, Delta Navigation for pollution caused by oil spill off the coast of Mumbai in 2011 by its ship M V Rak.
M.V. RAK on its way from Indonesia to Dahej in August 2011, sank approximately 20 Nautical Miles from the coast of South Mumbai, dumping in the process more than 60054 MT coal in its holds and
290 tonnes of fuel oil and 50 tonnes of diesel.
The tribunal has also slapped a fine of Rs 5 crore on Adani Enterprise Ltd for dumping 60054 MT Coal in the seabed and causing pollution of marine environment
This judgment will have a far reaching effect on not just the shipping and insurance companies, but also go a long way on fixing liability for pollution caused by oil spills.
The tribunal verdict has not just penalized the ship owner but also the person/company for whom the cargo was transported, holding that both the entities are liable to pay compensation and ensure restitution of environment.
The oil spilled from the ship M V Rak had spread beyond Mumbai to Raigad District also. Traces were noticed particularly between Uttan in Bhayandar and Gorai beaches in Mumbai.
The impact of the oil spill was also noticed on the mangroves of Mumbai. The lower portion of mangroves at Bandra, a suburban town in Mumbai, had turned dark because of a layer of oil and got destroyed.
Mumbai based environmentalist had approached the tribunal in 2011 raising substantial questions relating to the environment, restitution of the environment and compensation commensurate to the damage done to the ecology by oil spill caused by M V Rak.
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