Full-Scale Off-Site Emergency Mock Drill Conducted at Angul to Test Industrial Disaster Preparedness
By Sanghamitra Pradhan
Angul, Jan. 11: A full-scale off-site emergency mock drill was successfully conducted on Friday at Jindal Steel in Angul.
The exercise was carried out in accordance with the District Off-Site Emergency Response Plan (OERP) with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of communication systems, emergency response mechanisms, resource mobilization, and inter-agency coordination during a major industrial emergency.
The mock drill saw active participation from various district and industrial stakeholders. Key officials involved in the exercise included Dr. Ramesh Chandra Behera, Deputy Director of Factories & Boilers, Angul Division; Shri Manoj Mishra, Assistant Director of Factories & Boilers, Angul Zone-I; Shri Sarat Chandra Mallick, District Fire Officer; and Kumari Padmaja Sahoo, Assistant Labour Officer (ALO), Chhendipada.
From the industry side, senior officials including Shri Jitendra Parida, Head – Safety (Angul); Shri Gajendra Rawat, Head of Plant (HOP), SBPP; and Shri U. V. M. Rao, Head – Operations & Maintenance (O&M), SBPP, along with representatives from Jindal Steel Limited and nearby industries, actively participated in the drill.
The mock drill was coordinated by Jindal Steel under the supervision and guidance of the Directorate of Factories & Boilers, Angul. The coordinated response demonstrated the preparedness and capability of district administration, emergency services, and industrial units to respond effectively to large-scale emergencies.
Such exercises are vital in strengthening emergency preparedness, identifying response gaps, and enhancing coordination among all stakeholders to ensure public safety and environmental protection during industrial emergencies.
