GAIL NCR holds mock disaster management drill in Noida
To test its emergency preparedness in case of natural gas pipeline mishap, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) NCR, in association with Disaster Management Cell (DMC) Noida and district administration Gautam Budh Nagar, conducted an offsite emergency drill on Monday in Sector 128 where observers from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) team also participated in the mock drill.
A mock scenario of gas leakage and subsequent fire was created on the 18 inch gas pipeline of Dadri near Sultanpur village, Sector 128 as part of the ‘offsite emergency drill.’
The primary objective of the drill was to evaluate and check the efficacy and adequacy of resources to be required during any such disaster and to test the promptness of technical team of GAIL, other response agencies and to improve the disaster/emergency preparedness systems of GAIL NCR.
During the drill, mock evacuation of passers-by and affected people by the gas leakage to nearby medical centers was coordinated. In this, the district traffic department controlled the ensuing traffic with services from the fire department personnel,” said Dr Kumar Raka, planning specialist and head, DMC Noida.
While the affected area was cordoned off during the over two hour drill, all response agencies performed their defined tasks and responsibilities in coordination in the presence of NDRF CBRN team, said Dr Raka.
The mammoth mock drill included nearly 300 personnel from DCM Noida, NDRF, NDMA and GAIL including district administration departments of fire, police, health, traffic and IGL (Indraprastha Gas Ltd) with NDRF CBRN observers and representatives of NDMA accessing gaps and suggesting improvements in the emergency drill.
A couple of things which were noticed and addressed included that during a gas leakage, one should not go in the direction of the wind. Instead, one should go in the opposite direction. “This point needed further emphasis for future reference,” said Dr Raka.
Similarly, when personnel from GAIL started working on controlling the gas leakage, many were found without protective gear. “Wearing gas masks and gloves are a must to avoid risk factor during such drills,” adds Dr Raka.
The drill, which was conducted by GAIL NCR (O&M – Operations and Management) under the guidance of Dr Rak,a planning head DMC Noida, was also attended by S V Prasad, general manager (O&M), A N Pandey, executive director (Gas and M-CO) and S P Garg (HSE – Health Safety Environment) of GAIL.