Two bodies to probe draining of diesel

A huge amount of diesel, which drained from a reserve tank of Jamuna Oil Company at Patenga, pollutes the river Karnaphuli. PHOTO: STAR

A huge quantity of diesel reportedly drained away after a reserve tank at the oil terminal of Jamuna Oil Company at Patenga overflowed for several hours from around 3:00am on that day.

Eastern Refinery Limited, the country's lone oil refining centre run by state-owned BPC, was supplying the diesel to Jamuna through a 1-km- long pipeline.

Reports say around 1000 tons of diesel worth around Tk 4 crore was drained out into the adjoining Karnaphuli after overflowing the Tank No 6 at the terminal of Jamuna Oil Company.

The negligence of duty as well as lack of coordination between the concerned operators posted at both ends of the pipeline were blamed for the draining out.

General Manager of Jamuna Oil Ahmed Jamal Khan Chowdhury said the quantity of drained out diesel or the extent of damage might be assessed only after the investigation.

He said the BPC had already formed a 4-member probe committee headed by its Senior General Manager (Commercial) Mohammad Ali.

The CPA has also formed a 2-member departmental probe committee headed by Assistant Harbour Master Captain Faridul Alam.

The committee was directed to submit its report within seven days, sources said.