Ennore oil spill: Rs 121 crore distributed to over one lakh beneficiaries, NGT told

Also, Rs 10 crore has been allocated for fabrication and installation of artificial reefs in 30 locations in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, the department said, adding that the sites have been identified and the fabrication of artificial reef modules was in process. As on May 11, the shipping companies’ insurer released Rs 141 crore and Rs 121. 28 crore was distributed to 1,00,472 beneficiaries, it added.

On January 28, 2017, two merchant ships collided at the Kamarajar Port, resulting in a spill of bunker oil that spread across the sea and the seashores of three districts. Due to the spill, fishermen were unable to venture into the sea for more than a month.

Those who received the relief amount include mechanised and motorised boat owners, fishing labourers, fisherwomen in allied activities, allied activity labourers and fish vendors among others.

“Based on the recommendation of relief recommendation committee, the Assistant Director of Fisheries in three districts have collected the data of individuals and compensation was paid only to the eligible persons after due verification,” the report said.

Earlier, the Tribunal had directed the committee comprising of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Fisheries Department to submit the report from the stage of the incident till date regarding compensation and remediation steps. It was also directed to submit the report on the impact on aquatic life and livelihood of fishermen and whether the remedial measures helped improve the situation.

When the bench comprising judicial member Justice K Ramakrishnan and expert member Saibal Dasgupta noted that the committee has not filed the report so far, MoEF & CC counsel sought time. The bench directed it to file the report within two months.