Alibaug beaches worst hit

The state will scientifically test the samples collected from Juhu beach following reports of oil spill from the sunken carrier, MV RAK Carrier, and depending on test reports, file a criminal complaint against the owner of the vessel for causing environment damage.

The state will scientifically test the samples collected from Juhu beach following reports of oil spill from the sunken carrier, MV RAK Carrier, and depending on test reports, file a criminal complaint against the owner of the vessel for causing environment damage.

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The Panama-flagged vessel, owned by Delta Shipping Marine Services was on its way from Indonesia to Gujarat when it sank 25 nautical miles off Mumbai on August 4.

Oil slick was reported at various beaches in the city and even Raigad district — Awas and Thal beaches in Alibaug — on Monday. CM Prithviraj Chavan said that the spill did not cause imminent threat to the city’s coastline. Chavan said the environment department had allocated Rs10 lakh each to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Raigad collector office for clean-up exercise.

State environment minister Sanjay Deotale said that the state was probing whether the oil samples that reached Juhu, Versova, Gorai and other beaches were from the sunken carrier. However, he confirmed that oil at Raigad was from MV Rak.

The FIR and subsequent legal case will help the state seek compensation from the ship owner for the damage caused and clean-up.