Paradip: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board has directed Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to initiate corrective measures such as replacing the damaged pipelines with optical fibre ones to plug frequent oil spills.

The oil spill following the cracks in the pipelines on Tuesday led to the contamination of the Kaudia rivulet on the outskirts of Paradip. "The IOCL has been served notice under provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 2003," said a board official.

The oil company has been directed to install optical fibre system in the old pipelines which are passing through the port township areas. Such system can easily detect leakage points, said the official.

Pipelines carrying petrol, diesel and kerosene were found to have cracked and ruptured resulting in the water body getting polluted. The oil leakage has been a constant source of water pollution in areas lying on the outskirts of the port township. The major length of oil pipelines are passing near agricultural land and water bodies, where oil spills usually damage water, land and crops. "That is why, the oil company has been directed to launch ameliorative measures on war footing and furnish a compliance report to the pollution control board. If the company fails to do so, legal action under the pollution control act provisions would be initiated against them," he said.

Industrial pollution is taking a toll on inland fishing in the Paradip areas. Thousands of families eking out a living from inland fishing are being adversely affected as fish catch is steadily declining in these parts because of the discharge of industrial effluents into the water bodies. "The affected fishermen communities have raised the water pollution issue on several occasions, right from the pollution control board to the district administration. But, things remain the same as authorities concerned are turning a blind eye to it," said environment activist Ayashkant Ray.

The oil company authorities were not available for comments.