Karwar: A suspected bitumen leak from a tanker at Baithkhol Port in Karwar has raised serious environmental concerns amid fears that part of the spilled material may have entered the sea.

The vessel, identified as MT Padmanabh and reportedly owned by Aligadda Company, is alleged to be the source of the leakage in the port area.

According to preliminary information, the tanker had arrived from Shinas Port in Oman carrying around 4,460.5 metric tonnes of bitumen. The leakage is believed to have occurred either during cargo unloading operations or due to a technical malfunction. However, the exact cause has not yet been officially confirmed.

The incident has sparked concern among local residents and stakeholders, who fear the spill could have serious ecological consequences. If bitumen has entered the seawater, it could adversely affect marine life, including fish and other aquatic species. There are also concerns that a layer of bitumen on the sea surface could hamper the movement of small fishing boats.

The sticky substance could adhere to boat hulls, making navigation difficult and potentially causing financial losses to fishermen and boat owners.

Residents have urged the authorities to carry out a comprehensive assessment to determine the extent of the spill, the quantity of bitumen that may have reached the sea, and its environmental impact. They have also demanded a high-level inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the incident, examine whether safety protocols were violated, and fix responsibility for any negligence.