Team StoryInfinity for Daijiworld
Mangaluru, Jan 9: Security stepped-up at OMPL-MRPL facility, after aerial-drones were repeatedly sighted. According to MRPL officials, the Unidentified Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was spotted on multiple occasions starting from December 30 last year.
“On three different occasions, our security staff reported of a UAV entering the parameter of ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (OMPL). The area does not have an administrative section but had vital installation with tanks and main-plants,” chief executive officer of ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (OMPL) S S Nayak said.
MRPL (file photo)
According to investigating authorities, despite the ‘sighting’, the security guards did not engage fire-arms to bring down the UAV, since the OMPL has hydrocarbon substances within its facility and inflammable materials pose danger. “However, we are unsure of the motive of the drone operators, but it is being looked into with great concern since petro-chemical installations are strategic assets, any mishap or attack can trigger grave danger to the lives of people around the facility,” Nayak said.
The authorities added that in the first of its kind incident at MRPL facility - the drone was spotted hovering around ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (OMPL) zone, it was much away from Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves (ISPR), whose rock caverns have the capacity of storing 1.5 MT of fuel reserve, Nayak said.
According to the MRPL, subsequent to repeated incursions, they had appraised the matter to higher authorities and also reported the matter to jurisdictional Bajpe police station, who are alongside Intelligence Bureau (IB), are questioning the local residents, alongside commercial establishment around the OMPL vicinity.
“Internally, the (CISF) is mapping and have enhanced their surveillance in the area wherein the drones were repeatedly sighted. CISF has assured that it is technically equipped to bring down rogue drones if sighted once again,” Nayak said.
Nayak further added that since the OMPL (450 acre) and MRPL (1000 acre) are designated no-fly-zones, the matter has also been reported to the Mangalore airport authorities, who are looking into the matter.