DK DC for SEZ, MRPL, OMPL areas as ‘no fly zones’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 17, 2014:    While speaking at a meeting organised by District Disaster Management Authority and Disaster Control Group on disaster management here on October 16.  DK DC  A B Ibrahim has directed the Mangalore Airport Authority to take a formal request letter from Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (OMPL), and declare their areas as ‘No fly zones’.

 

 

The Airport Authority officials said that there is no provision to ban flying over MRPL and such major decisions can be taken only at the center. However, there is no problem as MRPL is not a flying zone. The Deputy Commissioner was not convinced by the answer and opined that if any air crash occurs above the MRPL area, it would be an unimaginable disaster. It would greatly increase the loss of lives and property at the industrial area, he said.

Discussing the  oil contingency plan, the New Mangalore Port Trust Pollution Control Board members complained that MRPL is delaying signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on controlling the oil leakage and points at other oil companies. However, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) official said that the share of MRPL in the crude oil import is around 97% . The DC directed MRPL official to clear this problem within one month. Meanwhile, a MRPL official requested the DC to ban fishing around 500 metre near Single Point Mooring (SPM) pipeline of the company in off the M’lore coast. However, the DC didn’t appreciate the need for this now.

Factories, Boilers, Industries Security and Health Department Deputy Director K G Nanjappa said that there are 11 major accident hazard units. Benzene and Paraxylene units will start working at SEZ soon. The Benzene and Paraxylene units of OMPL are biggest in the world. Benzene can cause Cancer. The employees should undergo regular medical check-ups. The OMPL official said that all security measures have been taken to avoid any leakage of the chemical.

KG Nanjappa said that the emergency control unit at the DC office should be strengthened for controlling and manipulating the situation during emergencies. It needs a separate room, dedicated man power who can work in shifts and equipment. Meanwhile, A B Ibrahim took an engineer to task as Mangalore City Corporation has stored around 3,600 kgs of Chlorine at Tumbe, inspite of warnings. Nanjappa said that industries should have enough stock of Brine solution which contains Sodium Bicarbonate which can be used as neutraliser.   Assistant Deputy Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu, Additional Superintendent of Police Shivakumar and ZP Deputy Secretary Umesh were present too.