an oil slick has polluted a two kilometre stretch of seashore south of the city of Chennai. According to police officials this information has been passed on to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board ( tnpcb ). Officials say that this happened when oil tankers had cleaned out the holds and poured the water into the sea. Subsequently, "due to wave action tar balls had formed' and polluted the shore. Investigation will be carried out to identify the source of the contamination.

The contamination stretches from Injambakkam to Pannaiyur village on the Chennai-Mahabalipuram route. Residents in the area complained that there was a strong smell of petrol, the water had turned black in colour and that it was impossible to walk along the beach. Officials say that if the level of contamination is not too severe, "we will let nature take its course.' But if it is, scientists would have to decide on the course of action.