NGT orders CPCL to pay ₹5 cr to TNPCB for Nagai oil leak

INVOKING the 'Superfund' law of the US statutes, the National Green Tribunal's southern bench in Chennai on Wednesday ruled that Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) should pay a fine of ₹5 crore to the TN Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) within two months for the oil leak from its pipeline in coastal Nagapattinam in March 2023.

-  SIDDHARTH PRABHAKAR

The bench said that though official reports by multiple agencies showed swift containment of the leak with minimal damage, state-owned CPCL had to be held accountable for “breaching” its duty of care as potential consequences for the marine ecosystem and local fishing communities could not be disregarded. The penalty amount has to be utilised for improving the environment and health of the people of the district, the NGT said.