BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to form ‘crisis groups’ to deal with chemical disasters and mishaps in industrial establishments. At a high-level meeting of the State Executive Committee chaired by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here on Wednesday, it has been decided that the Directorate of Factories and Boilers will work in coordination with Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).Padhi directed officials to prepare a data bank of chemical disasters and asked the Director of Factories and Boilers to extend training facilities to staff for enhancement of their skills so that they can tackle and manage such mishaps.
The Committee reviewed the progress of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) implemented in the State under World Bank assistance. While 154 Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters (MCS), 143 all-weather connecting roads and 12 saline embankment have been completed, of the total project outlay of ` 695.97 crore nearly `597 crore has been spent by June-end.
Similarly, of 162 MCS and 100 all-weather connectivity roads taken up under NCRMP-Additional Financing, work of 151 MCS and 99 roads have been completed. The balance work has been targeted to be completed by August. So far `388.4 crore out of `478.27 crore has been spent.Meanwhile, OSDMA has initiated process for procurement of different search, rescue and other life saving equipment for the cyclone shelters besides installation of lightning arrestor systems in those buildings.
Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director of OSDMA Bishnupada Sethi said Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) for last mile connectivity under the NCRMP is being implemented in 22 blocks of six coastal districts. “Five layers of communication system including Satellite-based Mobile Data Voice Terminals, Digital Mobile Radio, Mass Messaging System, Alert Siren System and Universal Communication Interface are being set up under the project, which is likely to be operationalised by July-end,” he informed.Among others, Home Secretary Asit Tripathy, DGP Dr RP Sharma and Revenue Secretary Chandra Sekhar Kumar were present.