“Since thousands of tankers are handling chemical and petroleum products here the administration and other industries should maintain safe practices and proper regulation of traffic to avert disaster in Paradip and train ODRAF and NDRAF teams suitably on chemical accidents”, said Mr Rakesh Dubey, Director, Disaster Management Institute, Bhopal.

Addressing the district crisis group meeting here, he said movement of tankers carrying chemicals and petroleum products need to be properly regulated, parked with due safety precaution.

The Disaster Management Institute, Bhopal will prepare roadmap to meet any chemical mishap at Paradip, he informed.

The district administration held the meeting for preparation and updates on off-site emergency plans.

District collector Mrs Yamini Sarangi presided over the meeting and stressed on constant upgradation of disaster preparedness. Industrial disasters, traffic control, rescue and relief measures, mock drills etc were discussed.

Precautionary measures should be taken and awareness created among people on the hazards posed by industries to their health and safety, she said.

Mrs Sarangi said the administration has submitted a proposal to set up well equipped modern fire station and special hospital for burn and injury patients.

Steps have been taken to control traffic in Paradip because hundreds of trucks and tankers are parking on the road creating traffic congestion which is very hazardous during accident.

It has been decided to set up a local emergency response centre in Paradip, informed the collector. District administration has been directed all the industry owners and higher officials for preparation and updating of off-site emergency plan and to upload these plans on district website for general information.

There are 62 industries registered under factories Act, 1948 in the district. At least 480 tankers ply in Paradip. Deputy Director, Factory and Boiler department Mr Ramesh Kumar Behera and officials of different industries like IFFCO, Paradip Refinery, IOCL, PPL, and other stakeholders were present in the meeting.