PARADIP: Panic gripped Paradip Port after a pipeline reportedly burst in the prohibited area during transfer of fuel from a vessel to the Indian Oil terminal, leading to the spillage of thousands of litres of petrol into nearby water bodies and the sea on Friday.
CISF personnel patrolling near Gate No. 1 in the port’s prohibited area first detected a strong smell of petrol and suspected a leakage in the pipeline passing through the area. They immediately alerted the authorities of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). A technical team rushed to the spot and found that the pipeline had burst while petrol was being transferred from a vessel berthed at the oil jetty to the Indian Oil terminal.
Sources said thousands of litres of petrol spilled into nearby water bodies and the sea, creating panic among local residents and port employees. Following the incident, CISF, fire services and IOCL personnel were deployed at the site to prevent any mishap.
In view of the potential risk of fire and explosion, the administration has tightened security arrangements in and around the affected area. Emergency response teams are closely monitoring the situation and taking preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident.
Though the exact cause of the incident is yet to be officially confirmed, it is suspected that excessive pressure during the transfer process may have caused the rupture in the pipeline.
A senior official of Paradip Port said the pipeline burst in an isolated area and no casualty or injury has been reported. The leakage was later plugged by the expert team of Indian Oil. He assured that there is currently no danger as the leakage has been sealed.
Attempts were made to contact officials of the marketing and pipeline divisions of IOCL, but no official statement was issued regarding the leakage.
Locals alleged that inadequate supervision and poor monitoring of pipelines have led to frequent leakage incidents in Paradip area.
