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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) convened the 26th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi, according to an official release.
The meeting was chaired by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, Chairperson of the NOSDCP. Around 80 delegates from various ministries, central and state governments, ports, and oil-handling agencies participated in the event. The gathering focused on evaluating the nation's readiness to respond effectively to potential oil spill incidents in Indian waters. "As India progresses towards becoming the world's third-largest economy, the volume of oil imports via shipping is also rising. This growth, alongside the transport of chemicals and other hazardous materials, presents significant risks to India's maritime zones, extensive coastline, coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and tourism sectors. Ensuring comprehensive preparedness among the Central Coordinating Agency, coastal states, ports, and other stakeholders is essential to safeguarding our marine environment against potential oil spills," the release stated. In his address, DG S Paramesh reaffirmed the ICG's commitment to tackling regional threats, including marine oil and chemical spills. He emphasised the need for strengthened cooperation among stakeholders to enhance partnerships, improve coordination, and adopt best practices in emerging technologies. He also highlighted the recent inauguration of the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre in Chennai by the Hon'ble Defence Minister, noting its significant role in enhancing the ICG's capabilities for managing pollution incidents in the region, the release added. (ANI)
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