MbPT fire aftermath: Corporation calls for collective response from stakeholders

On Saturday, a leakage in an old pipeline near Wadala undergoing repair caught fire. According to officials, the leakage was detected in the morning at a point in the HPCL pipeline that carries petroleum.

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Mehta called for a protocol to be maintained by all stakeholders during such emergencies. “The stakeholders work in isolation most of the times. There is no common mechanism to disseminate information during emergencies. Even on that day, the fire brigade did not receive adequate information on the kind of fuels stored in the huge containers.”

Officials also said that the Mumbai Fire Brigade was not given adequate information by MbPT that day. The fire brigade reached the spot after receiving calls from citizens, an official said.

While the reason for the leakage is still being determined, officials from MbPT confirmed thefts along the stretch which has major oil refineries.

Mehta also asked MbPT officials to submit a letter certifying the condition of the pipelines. “The commissioner asked the stakeholders to increase monitoring and patrolling along the stretch and plug all leakages in a month to prevent such disasters,” an official said.

Welcoming the commissioner’s move to increase efficiency and coordination between stakeholders, Yashodhan Wanage, deputy chairman of MbPT, said, “A collective response in case of such emergencies always proves to be better. The common SOP will enhance our response in such situations and improve our services.”

tanushree.venkatraman@expressindia.com