SHILLONG: A conference on ‘Safe Management of Chemical, Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries’ was organised in the city on Thursday which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
The programme was organized by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), along with Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the State Government.
The Chief Minister assured that the State Government will be working in tandem with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Battalion, a task force which is equipped and trained to combat all natural and man-made disasters.
The objective of the programme was to educate and train the industry, chemical business and offsite responders like police, medicos, fire services, home guards and other involved in this field.
Dr Sangma also remarked that while issuing a sanction or clearance for construction of any buildings and designs, the authority should take utmost consideration to include required parameters for safeguarding the lives of people and special technical preparedness for any kind of disaster since the North East is situated in ‘Seismic Zone V’.
Dr Sangma sought for focus on the capability to respond promptly during disasters and to inculcate a culture of preparedness among all stakeholders. He further highlighted the importance of sensitizing the people in order to prevent loss of lives in calamities which frequently hits the region and be competent and capable of disaster management preparedness.
National Disaster Management Authority has also prepared comprehensive guidelines on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management released in 2007, which has become the baseline for minimizing chemical incidences in the country.
Others who spoke included Ameishing Luikham, Secretary, NEC, S Krishnan, Chairman, Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board, KM Singh, Member, NDMA, Dr Arbind Prasad, Director General, FICCI and Lt. Gen. JR Bhardwaj, Chairman, CIDM and former member, NDMA.