Action taken report submitted by the Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Kerala in OA No 71 of 2021 (SZ)(SUO MOTU Vs The Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and Ors) dated 16/02/2022.

The report informed the court that there was a furnace oil spillage in Travancore Titanium Products Limited (TTPL) on February, 10, 2021 (7.40 am) due to an oil line breakage. The discharge drain in the plant going to the sea shore was just below the line and the spilled oil was carried away to the sea shore causing a major environmental incident. The problem was detected at around 7.50 am and the pump was immediately stopped. An estimated quantity of 4750 liters of the oil was spilled into the drain. Even though the drain was blocked immediately, some quantity of furnace oil was carried away to the sea shore.

The Kerala government constituted a committee to enquire into the leakage of furnace oil through drainage into the sea. The committee has submitted its report and the industry has been asked to comply with the recommendations in the report.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Environment conducted a meeting, March 9, 2021 and in the meeting the Kerala State Pollution Control Board informed that the company was closed following the furnace oil leak. The company had also removed all the oil contaminated sand along the shoreline and at the outlet. The company has requested for resumption of operation with one fourth production capacity and the KSPCB has sanctioned the request. No immediate damage to human life and health was caused due to the incident.