Chennai: Swachh Sagar Abhiyaan was conducted in the Port waters of Chennai Port Trust on Sunday.
As an extension of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the programme was aimed towards protecting and preserving the marine environment by undertaking a cleanup operation of port waters such as removal of oil and other debris from waterfront areas.
The programme was coordinated by Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (East) with support from Coastal Security Group Chennai Port Trust, IOCL, BPCL and State pollution control board.
Pranab Kumar Das, Chief Commissioner Customs, inaugurated the event.
He stressed upon the importance of maintaining the marine environment litter-free and asked everyone to educate his or her friends and relatives towards achieving this aim.
During the Cleanup Drive Heli-Skimmer, of Coast Guard Pollution response team, which is self-propelled and can contain and recover the oil from water was deployed along with pollution response team for the cleanup operation of the oil and litter floating in port waters. Aerial spraying of oil spill dispersant was carried out, and oil spill response equipment was utilised for dispersion and collection of the oil and marine litter.
