https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

PNGRB Unveils Plan for Emergency Response Centers to Boost Industrial Safety in Petroleum Sector

The initial rollout of ERCs is proposed in 12 high-risk clusters, including strategic hubs like Kandla, Manmad, Vizag, Ennore, and Panipat.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a decisive move to enhance industrial safety across India’s petroleum sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has released a comprehensive concept note proposing the establishment of Emergency Response Centers (ERCs) at key oil and gas installations. The initiative aims to close critical gaps in the sector’s emergency preparedness, particularly for large-scale disasters such as fires, explosions, and chemical leaks.

The urgency behind the proposal is underscored by a concerning rise in industrial incidents. According to official data, 55 major accidents were recorded in 2023–24, resulting in 34 fatalities — a significant increase from 28 deaths in 2022–23 and 22 in 2021–22. These figures highlight the growing severity of operational risks in the energy infrastructure landscape.

Tragedy behind the Initiative

A long-standing trigger for such an initiative remains the catastrophic Jaipur Terminal fire of 2009, where a massive blaze caused by a petrol leak at Indian Oil Corporation’s Sanganer fuel depot burned for 11 days, claimed multiple lives, caused damages worth ₹300 crore, and exposed severe shortcomings in emergency response capabilities. An inquiry committee led by MB Lal had recommended setting up ERCs in terminal clusters—advice that remained unimplemented for over a decade.

“Level-3 emergencies, such as full-surface fires or tank explosions, are beyond the capacity of in-house firefighting systems,” the PNGRB concept note stated. “ERCs are designed as centralized command-and-control hubs capable of responding swiftly with high-volume, long-range firefighting equipment and specially trained ‘fire-commandos’ to contain disasters within 30 to 40 minutes.”

Inspired by successful global models like the Refinery Terminal Fire Company (RTFC) in the US and the Emergency Response Service Centre (ERSC) in the UK, PNGRB envisions India-specific ERCs designed to cater to the unique geography, infrastructure, and operational landscape of the domestic oil and gas industry.

Initial Rollout Plan to be around clusters

The initial rollout of ERCs is proposed in 12 high-risk clusters, including strategic hubs like Kandla, Manmad, Vizag, Ennore, and Panipat. These regions house large-capacity storage terminals managed by major public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL). Sites with combined oil storage exceeding 1.5 lakh kilolitres, and where multiple OMCs operate in proximity, will be prioritized.

The ERCs may also be deployed near major crude oil pipeline terminals, further extending their reach across the petroleum supply chain. Though various efforts since 2014 — including international consultations and tenders — failed due to high costs and lack of consensus, a renewed momentum came in February 2025, when the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) constituted a new expert panel under former HPCL CMD MK Surana to re-evaluate the country’s emergency response framework.

The initiative has also garnered support from the Directorate General of Fire Services, which urged the ministry to accelerate ERC implementation to protect public life and critical assets.

Long Term Vision of the Board

As part of the long-term vision, PNGRB intends to integrate ERCs into its safety and technical regulations. The centers will be governed by standardized guidelines, periodic audits, and compliance mechanisms, ensuring institutional accountability and robust safety performance.

“ERCs are not just reactive hubs but strategic safety assets,” the concept note emphasized. “They are akin to an insurance policy for the energy sector — a cost-effective yet vital investment to mitigate the impact of industrial disasters.”

With this initiative, India aims to bring its petroleum sector safety practices in line with global best standards, marking a significant step toward building a more resilient and disaster-ready energy infrastructure.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
ONGC_resized
India’s Energy Push: ONGC, APM Pipavav Sign ₹37,000 Cr Deal for Offshore Logistics Base
Ashwini Vaishnaw Rail Minister
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Inaugurate IREE 2025, Asia’s Largest Railway Equipment Exhibition in New Delhi
IRS Officer Indian revenue Services
ACC Approves Promotion of 16 IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Officers to Apex Grade of Principal Chief Commissioner/Principal DG
IAS Vishakha Yadav
Meet IAS Vishakha Yadav (UPSC AIR 6): The Engineer-Turned-IAS Officer Who Welcomed PM Modi in Arunachal
Ministry of Coal
Coal PSUs Announce Performance Linked Reward of Rs 1,03,000 for 2.5 Lakh Non-Executive Workers; PLR to Boost Morale and Productivity
BSNL
BSNL to Roll Out 97,500 Indigenous 4G Towers Worth ₹37,000 Crore; PM Modi to Inaugurate in Odisha
OP Singh Mumbai
International Fire Safety Conference 2025: Former DGP O.P. Singh Advocates for Drones and Digital Solutions
Indias Automobile sector auto segment
Big News for Auto Sector: India Tightens CAFE 3 Norms from 2027; Relief for Small Petrol Cars, Boost for EVs & Hybrids
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Abhay Daga IPS UPSC Success Story
IIT Graduate, Microsoft Alum, Actor, to Cracking UPSC CSE: The Story of Abhay Daga
Read the inspiring journey of Abhay Daga, an IIT graduate, Microsoft alum, and actor, who cleared UPSC...
Rishav Awasthi MPPSC Risabh Awasthi MPPCS
Family’s Dream, His Determination: How Small-Town Dreamer Rishav Awasthi Conquered MPPSC 2024 with Rank 2 | Exclusive
After two failed attempts, Rishav Awasthi secured Rank 2 in MPPSC 2024, driven by family support, self-study,...
Harshita Dave MPPSC 2024
The Girl Who Turned Dreams Into a Deputy Collector Post at 22: Meet MPPSC 2024 Women Topper Harshita Dave
At just 22, Harshita Dave topped MPPSC 2024, becoming the women topper and securing Rank 5. Her journey...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
ONGC_resized
India’s Energy Push: ONGC, APM Pipavav Sign ₹37,000 Cr Deal for Offshore Logistics Base
Ashwini Vaishnaw Rail Minister
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Inaugurate IREE 2025, Asia’s Largest Railway Equipment Exhibition in New Delhi
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT