India Inc looks terror in the eye
Following the worldwide alert on possible big terrorist strikes in the country, industrial units of strategic importance like oil refineries, off-shore rigs and power stations - both in the public and private sectors - have been put on high alert.
By TNN |
AHMEDABAD: India Inc is preparing for the mother of all battles. Following the worldwide alert on possible big terrorist strikes in the country, industrial units of strategic importance like oil refineries, off-shore rigs and power stations — both in the public and private sectors — have been put on high alert.
The Union petroleum ministry has issued advisories to security agencies and state governments to tighten security at all refinery premises and off-shore installations. Security cover at the terrestrial locations, like refineries, is provided by the CISF, while offshore installations are protected by the Coast Guard. The refineries are notified as prohibited areas and physical movement is restricted.
“Yet, we have enhanced checks and surveillance. We are installing CCTV cameras on a war-footing at all refineries, in a phased manner, within 90 days. The CCTV records will be stored for at least 90 days instead of 30 days,” petroleum secretary MS Srinivasan told ET on Monday. The ministry has also written to the Coast Guard, which protects off-shore installations to replace their ageing fleet in quick time. “The ministry will share the additional costs of the vessels,” Mr Srinivasan said over the phone from Dehradun.
Additionally, the ministry will also work jointly with private and foreign joint venture companies, who have off-shore installations to share their expertise in securing off-shore locations. The secretary added that a meeting of various agencies, private players, PSUs as well as the government will be held shortly to take further steps on the security issue.
Companies like Reliance, Essar, Torrent, ONGC and Air India, operate strategic industries like power stations, refineries and airlines — all possible terror targets.
Essar operates power stations and will soon commercialise its petroleum refinery in Jamnagar. A senior executive of the company said: “After the Mumbai blasts, we have set up a high level committee to identify possible threats areas to the units and employees.”
Reliance Industries, which operates the world’s biggest grassroots refinery at Jamnagar, also confirmed that surveillance have been enhanced. “We are highly conscious of threats that our assets can have from any attacks in any form...In view of the recent national and international events, we are more vigilant and are constantly monitoring and reviewing issues related to security,” an executive told ET. RIL already has dog squads which are trained to sniff explosives.
“At Jamnagar, we have biometrics installed for entry into the refinery. No one can enter the refinery without proper authorisation. We have also covered the refinery with CCTVs and there is continuous monitoring of the refinery and its surrounding,” the executive added.
Sources at ONGC confirmed having received advisories from the petroleum ministry. They said security has been beefed up. “Law and order is a state subject. But we are closely working with the respective governments, especially with those where we have important installations.”
The Union petroleum ministry has issued advisories to security agencies and state governments to tighten security at all refinery premises and off-shore installations. Security cover at the terrestrial locations, like refineries, is provided by the CISF, while offshore installations are protected by the Coast Guard. The refineries are notified as prohibited areas and physical movement is restricted.
“Yet, we have enhanced checks and surveillance. We are installing CCTV cameras on a war-footing at all refineries, in a phased manner, within 90 days. The CCTV records will be stored for at least 90 days instead of 30 days,” petroleum secretary MS Srinivasan told ET on Monday. The ministry has also written to the Coast Guard, which protects off-shore installations to replace their ageing fleet in quick time. “The ministry will share the additional costs of the vessels,” Mr Srinivasan said over the phone from Dehradun.
Additionally, the ministry will also work jointly with private and foreign joint venture companies, who have off-shore installations to share their expertise in securing off-shore locations. The secretary added that a meeting of various agencies, private players, PSUs as well as the government will be held shortly to take further steps on the security issue.
Companies like Reliance, Essar, Torrent, ONGC and Air India, operate strategic industries like power stations, refineries and airlines — all possible terror targets.
Essar operates power stations and will soon commercialise its petroleum refinery in Jamnagar. A senior executive of the company said: “After the Mumbai blasts, we have set up a high level committee to identify possible threats areas to the units and employees.”
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Reliance Industries, which operates the world’s biggest grassroots refinery at Jamnagar, also confirmed that surveillance have been enhanced. “We are highly conscious of threats that our assets can have from any attacks in any form...In view of the recent national and international events, we are more vigilant and are constantly monitoring and reviewing issues related to security,” an executive told ET. RIL already has dog squads which are trained to sniff explosives.
“At Jamnagar, we have biometrics installed for entry into the refinery. No one can enter the refinery without proper authorisation. We have also covered the refinery with CCTVs and there is continuous monitoring of the refinery and its surrounding,” the executive added.
Sources at ONGC confirmed having received advisories from the petroleum ministry. They said security has been beefed up. “Law and order is a state subject. But we are closely working with the respective governments, especially with those where we have important installations.”
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