The Paradip Refinery Project (PDRP) was affected by the Phailin as project activities were stopped during the duration of the cyclone.
The workers, contractors and consultants had already moved to safer places, and by October 11 morning the project site was safely secured. After the cyclone, the PDRP management has now started re-mobilising the contractors and labourers and the project site would operate normally within a few days, said an official release.
The PDRP had activated an emergency contingency plan from October 11 and operated a round-the-clock control room to facilitate coordination of the communication and information systems with other agencies like the district administration, Paradip Port Trust and Refinery HQ. The contingency plan also ensured maintenance of essential services, relief and rehabilitation and safety of the site.
On October 11, ED Sanjiv Singh addressed PDRPians at a communication meeting to explain the emergency preparedness and contingency plans. The last-minute assessment of the preparedness was made two hours before the cyclone’s landfall. Around 900 people from neighbouring villages took shelter at the PDRP administrative building. They were provided food and other supports.
No major damage to the project was observed. The site suffered waterlogging due to rains and damages to some makeshift structures. The heavy machinery, cranes and equipments installed at site were all safe.