from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, May 4: The state authorities have swung into action following incidents of tar balls hitting the North Goa's coastline reported Thursday evening.

The tar balls, usually assilimilation of oil, have began surfacing on Goa's shoreline including prime calangute, Baga and Anjuna beaches which are mostly frequented by tourists.

"This is not the case of oil pollution. This is a usual phenomenon before monsoons due to sea churning," the Goa pollution control board officials stated.

The officials after learning about the tar balls have rushed to the site and are observing the situation. "The first slot of balls were noticed at 2 p.m. today and later on they began hitting the coast in large number. By evening, they were everywhere," the officials stated.

The goa state pollution control board officials have asked the state tourism department asking them to clean the beaches by Friday to avoid any effect on the tourism.

The state is having high flow of tourists, this time of the year, with leisure seekers rushing to the sea to get respite from scorching sun. The vacations too are on.

"There is no oil pollution in the sea. If at all any tar balls are cited, it is usual phenomenon before the monsoons," deputy inspector general Indian coast guard, Commander M S Dangui, stated.

He ruled out any oil leakage in the Arabian sea. "We are yet to receive any intimation about the tar balls having being surfaced," he said.