Karwar: An incident of bitumen leakage from a tanker at Baithkhol port in Karwar has triggered serious environmental concerns, with fears that a portion may have entered the sea.The vessel, identified as MT Padmanabh and owned by Aligadda Company, is allegedly responsible for the spill in the port area.Preliminary information indicates that the tanker had arrived carrying approximately 4,460.5 metric tonnes of bitumen from Shinas Port in Oman. The leakage is suspected to have occurred during cargo unloading operations or due to a technical malfunction. The exact cause has not been officially confirmed.Local residents and stakeholders flagged the potential ecological impact. If bitumen mixes with seawater, it could severely affect marine life, including fish and other aquatic species. There are also apprehensions that a layer of bitumen on the sea surface could disrupt the movement of small fishing boats.The sticky substance may adhere to boat hulls, leading to operational difficulties and financial losses for fishermen and boat owners.The public has urged authorities to conduct a detailed assessment to determine the extent of the spill, the quantity that may have entered the sea, and its environmental impact. They have also called for a high-level inquiry to establish the exact cause, examine whether there was negligence in compliance with safety protocols, and determine accountability.
