Tamil Nadu government has estimated that fishermen incurred loss of Rs 135.35 crore due to oil spill after two cargo ships collided here in January and asked Director General of Shipping to get funds released from insurance companies.

Noting that the fishermen of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheerpuram districts were affected due to the oil spill, Chief Minister K Palaniswami today said here that about 104 kms of coastal areas including Chennai beach were affected due to the oil slick.

Following the incident the livelihood of fishermen were affected in the region, he said at a function organised to distribute solatium of Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 fishermen, whose livelihood was affected due to the oil spill. “A loss of about Rs 135.35 crore has been estimated by the state government. A letter has been sent to Director General of Shipping to get the amount released from insurance companies,” he said.

Palaniswami said during his recent visit to New Delhi, he met Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and submitted a memorandum seeking Rs 75 crore as interim relief to the state for giving solatium to fishermen.

The oil spill in the Bay of Bengal occurred after two cargo ships collided near the Ennore Port on the early hours of January 28. Nearly 5,700 people representing various agencies took part in the clean up operation for 25 days.

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