AGARTALA, December 10 (TIWN): Oil spill started spreading in river Gomati again after a brief pause. Oil spill has been detected on Tuesday and Wednesday again, when the residents of Amarpur, Jatanbari and Udaipur witnessed thick layers of oil hovering in the river water. However following this alarming situation, a team of scientists along with the ONGC Chemist team has been dispatched at the spot to take a stock of the situation.Talking to TIWN today, Drinking Water & Sanitation (DWS) Chief Engineer Er. B.K. Debbarma confirmed the oil leakage in the river Gomati and said that experts comprising of scientists, engineers both from the power department and DWS department has been dispatched there to take a stock of the situation. The oil spill in the river water is under investigation and the experts are conducting several tests and are collecting samples of the oil, to find out the source of the oil spill in the river water, said Mr. Debbarma.Talking to TIWN about the issue ONGC Asset Manager V.P. Mahawar said that after getting the alarming news of the oil spill in the river Gomati on Tuesday, ONGC had dispatched a chemist team to examine the oil spill. He further added that the ONGC had not drilled any well there in Gomati, therefore issue needs to be examined.

Asked about the supply of water to the effected sub divisions, Mr. Debbarma informed that for the being the water supply from the water treatment plant has been stopped since after the detection of the oil spill in the river water. The tankers have been placed to at least three sub divisions – Jatanbari, Amarpur and Udaipur.

DWS Minister Ratan Bhowmik visiting Gomati basin. TIWN Pic Dec 10

However but is to be mentioned here that earlier the oil leakage from one of the pipeline of the Gomati hydro-electric project in Amarpur has been detected in the river Gomati, spreading at large. However later following the negligence of the hydro-electric project staffs, at least 4 officials have been suspended temporarily. But this seems to be no lesson learned for the staffs of hydro electric project.