With an objective to enhance preparedness and response mechanisms for chemical disasters, a state-level mock exercise on chemical disaster management was organised at Neelachal Ispat Nigam on Friday.
The mock drill organised under the aegis of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) aimed at ensuring effective coordination among key stakeholders, including industries, government agencies, and emergency response teams. Other steel manufacturing companies from the region including Neelachal Ispat Tata Steel Kalinganagar and Jindal Stainless participated in the mock drill as mutual aid partners.
The mock drill was coordinated by Mr Ashok Kumar Behera, District Emergency Officer from District Emergency Operation Centre, at Collectorate office. This exercise also intended to test the response capability towards potential Light Diesel Oil (LDO) leakage at Light Diesel Oil (LDO) Tank storage at Power Plant inside Neelachal Ispat Nigam plant.
This meant that while no incident actually took place, the mock drill entailed creation of simulated conditions on various aspects to test the readiness of different teams including Safety, Fire Brigade, Medical, Security & Operations. During the mock drill, the teams were expected to reach the site within defined timelines, ensure evacuation of personnel from the designated site, provide appropriate medical care, timely monitoring and containment of the simulated crisis and take note of practical learnings to address real time situation.
The mock-drill was attended by Mr Ranjit Kumar Mallick, Tahasildar, Danagadi, Jajpur, Mr Ganeswar Mardi, Assistant Director, Deputy Director office of Factories & Boilers, Mr Madan Mohan Sahoo, Regional Officer, OSPCB, Mr Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, Assistant Environment Scientist, Regional Office, Jajpur, OSPCB, Mr Naresh Behera, Assistant Commandant, ODRF, & Mr Tapas Kumar Manti, Assistant Fire Officer & Team Leader, Jajpur Road Fire Station. Among others present were senior officials of Neelachal Ispat Nigam.
