National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan
The National Oil Spill disaster contingency plan was discussed at the 18th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan and Preparedness meeting held on 31st May, 2013 at Dehradun.
A total of 69 representatives from various ministries, Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard, Central and State Pollution control boards, Port authorities and oil companies participated in the meeting.
During the said meeting suggestions made by the participants included providing email copy of all notices and circulars, updation of Facility Oil Spill Contingency Plans, conduct of joint inspections of ports and oil agencies, training of responders for handling oil spill response equipment, maintenance of pollution response inventory at ports and conversion of international conventions into national legislation.
The Government of India has initiated various measures to ensure that Oil Spill at Sea is given top priority by all the concerned agencies. Pollution response teams have been established by the Indian Coast Guard at Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair. Further, a pollution response centre is also established at Vadinar, Gujarat. Two dedicated pollution response vessels have been commissioned and pollution response equipment have been procured. To ensure response preparedness regular training and exercises are conducted by the Indian Coast Guard.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri MadhuGoudYaskhi and Shri PradeepMajhiin Lok Sabha today.
DM/VP/RK