A mock exercise on chemical (Industrial) disaster was conducted here on Wednesday at the lPG bottling plant of the HPCl, Raukhedi, with support from the District Administration of Indore, Department of Industrial Health and Safety, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Govt. of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Petroleumand Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
The prime objective of mock exercise was to check the overall preparedness, on how to act during the chemical emergency situation, especially in case of accidental lPG release, followed by fire. The exercise also meant for bringing together different agencies and all concerned stakeholders, including mutual aid from neighbouring industries, and also providing the emergency support functions for better coordination at the local/ district level.
Te mock exercise was attended by more than 200 participants. The entire exercise was carried under the supervision of Specialized Technical Team, consisting of Chairman PNGRB S Krishnan IAS (Retd), Govt of India, Former Member NDMA Muzaffar Ahmad, Sr. Consultant FICCI Brig. BK Khanna, Director of Industrial Health and Safety Vallabh Kadia. In addition, the other subject specialists from various States and senior representatives from industries of Madhya Pradesh, were involved in this crucial mock exercise. The HPCl lPG Unit is considered to be at high risk due to its operations and handling point of view, and it has the potential to lead to chemical accident/ disaster.