Date:27/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/27/stories/2005062700160600.htm

Back Petro-products storage: `Tank' battle in Kochi

V. Sajeev Kumar

The move to increase the number of chemical tanks storing petroleum products on land near the Kochi Port is causing serious concern among the local residents. — K. K. Mustafah

LOCAL residents near the reclaimed land of Kochi Port at Vathuruthy, near Willingdon Island, are up in arms over the reported move of the port authorities to go ahead with their plans to allow private firms to construct more tanks to store petroleum products.

It is alleged that the tanks were erected in the area without adequate safety measures and necessary sanctions from statutory authorities such as the Factories and Boilers Department and the Kochi Corporation. It is reported that several private companies dealing in petroleum products have constructed 35 tanks in the vicinity and the port had given the nod for building another 55.

Besides, the port had erected another 11 such tanks for storing kerosene and petrol. The residents alleged that the pipelines that take petroleum products to the tanks were laid "in a careless way" and that all these tanks were constructed within 20 km radius of the port.

They had even filed a public interest litigation in the Kerala High Court against the tank construction following the collapse last week of one of the tanks that left one dead and two injured. They also cited an incident of fire in the benzene storage tanks in the area last year.

The Willingdon Island Action Council, formed by the residents, submitted before the Court that a former Revenue Divisional Officer of Fort Kochi had recommended to the District Collector that the tank construction should be stopped, as it could pose dangers to the people living in the Vathuruthy area. However, the District Administration had declined to intervene in the issue.

The port had reclaimed around 25 acres from the Vembanad backwaters for constructing the Kundanoor Bridge years back. The locals also pointed out that there were plans to construct 300 tanks along the area from the Island Road to Thevara Road in, what they called, violation of all environmental norms.

Senior port officials, however, disputed the claims of the people saying, the Vathuruthy region was illegally occupied for years. Dr Jacob Thomas, Port Chairman, said that the area was earmarked for erecting tanks to handle liquid cargo storage in the port as per the Land Use Plan approved by the Shipping Ministry.

The Port Trust had initiated action long ago to acquire eight acres at the nearby Palluruthy for the rehabilitation of people living in the Vathuruthy area.

But resistance from several bodies had prevented the relocation efforts, he added.

In view of the recent mishap, the Chairman said the Port was reviewing the security and safety measures required to be taken by the firms that have erected the tanks.

The Port had initiated action for inspection of all tanks erected on the Willingdon Island from the safety and structural points of view.

The Kochi Port, he said is considered ideal for handling bulk cargo that comes in large ships and is transported to hinterland by rail and road. Liquid bulk is one of the major cargos, that arrives in Kochi. Land is allotted for providing port related mechanised and eco-friendly handling and storage facility for bulk cargo, including hazardous and non-hazardous liquid cargo.

Hazardous oil, classified under Class A, B & C, is handled at the Port. The port had obtained necessary statutory clearances from the parties concerned for handling liquid bulk cargo. The clearances included CRZ approval from the State Environmental Department, consent from the State PCB, clearances from the Departments of Fisheries, Forest, and Archaeology, the Navy, the Airports Authority, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Clearance had also been obtained from the Chief Controller of Explosives for the construction plans and before commencement of operations. The clearance from the local authority and certificates from the Divisional Fire Officer and from Factories and Boilers Department had also been obtained.

According to the Chairman, all these tanks were constructed after carrying out intensive soil investigation, as the soil in Willingdon Island is geo-technically weak. Apart from this, a study on environment impact assessment and disaster management was conducted by the approved agencies. The commissioning of the facilities was permitted only after obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest. Fire protection arrangements as per the Oil Industries Safety Directorate's requirement were installed before commissioning of the facilities.