Gandhinagar: In a joint initiative, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) will conduct a state-level mock drill for oil and chemical disaster management on November 21 across major refineries and chemical hubs in Gujarat.

To review preparations, a tabletop exercise was held at SEOC-Gandhinagar in the presence of Minister of State for Disaster Management Sanjaysinh Mahida. During the exercise, Minister Mahida provided guidance to all participating departments and organizations to ensure the drill is effective and meaningful.

Speaking at the event, Minister Mahida said the main objective of the exercise is to test the state’s preparedness for immediate response in case of future accidents in the oil and chemical industries, assess coordination between government departments and private industries, and evaluate the effectiveness of human resources and equipment. He emphasized that Gujarat, being an industrial state with major refineries, chemical hubs, and large storage facilities in Jamnagar, Hazira, Vadinar, and Kandla, must be fully prepared for any emergency.

Referring to past industrial disasters like the Bhopal gas tragedy and the Visakhapatnam styrene gas leak, Minister Mahida highlighted the importance of preparedness. He added that the upcoming mock drill will demonstrate Gujarat’s ability to function as a coordinated team during crises and underscored the responsibility of protecting major petrochemical hubs and industrial clusters for the nation’s economic interests. He also appreciated the participation of major industries including Reliance, Naira, ONGC OPaL, Petronet LNG, and Deendayal Port Mundra.

Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, Dr. Jayanti Ravi, termed Gujarat a role model in disaster management, stating that the state conducts mock drills annually to equip all departments for potential disasters. He called upon nodal officers to actively participate and provide feedback to address gaps, ensuring effective coordination during emergencies.

Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, NDMA member, also guided participants and lauded the state’s disaster management efforts during past events such as the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, Cyclone Biporjoy, and the recent plane crash. He noted that Gujarat was the first state in India to implement the Disaster Management Act and establish a dedicated authority for proactive disaster preparedness.

Representatives from NDMA, GSDMA, SEOC, NDRF, SDRF, the armed forces, and various departments, nodal officers, and district collectors participated in the tabletop exercise, providing details of the mock drill preparations. Dignitaries reviewed the arrangements and offered guidance to ensure the exercise’s success. DeshGujarat