On Sunday, BPCL stated that they were ensuring that no more oil was expelled into the creek and that any fresh release of oil could be from a second nullah nearby. A spokesperson for BPCL said: “On Sunday, our officials invited the local fishermen as well as the corporator to inspect our sewage line from outside. Ever since last week’s incident, we have been keeping a 24-hour vigil on our gate to make sure no more oil is released. On Monday, we have even invited the fishermen to visit and check our drains from inside. We are not causing any further leaks and are fully open to scrutiny.”

On June 10, Newsline reported that the Mahul creek’s fragile eco-system was in danger due to black oil wastes released in the water. The waste, according to fishermen and local corporator Rajendra Mahulkar, had been flowing into the creek from a BPCL sewage line since June 7. Mahulkar had also approached the RCF police, who had visited and instructed BPCL to clean up.

On Friday, Santiago Rebello, a research officer with Conservation Action Trust, visited the creek to estimate the extent of the oil film in the creek and the mudflats. He said: “There is at least a half-foot deep oil and grease floating in the creek here, which is a hotbed for small prawns and crabs. Besides, thick black oil has settled on the mangroves and completely covered its saplings. The saplings will certainly die of suffocation.” Rebello added that several fishermen have developed skin infections.