Terror threat to Mumbai oil refineries, security stepped up

Mangalore Today News Network/ IBN

Mumbai Sep 6, 2012 : Mumbai’s oil refineries have been put on a high alert after an intelligence warning of a possible terror attack. The security at the oil refineries has been stepped up. This comes after an intelligence alert about a plot to target HPCL and BPCL oil depots.

 

 

The alert specifies the number of terrorists, their method and the target spot. It even states the name of the area they hail from. Mumbai’s HPCL and BPCL refineries produce more 20 million tons of fuel every year.

The eastern belt of Mumbai is one of India’s most sensitive zones. Adjacent to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre are the HPCL and BPCL oil refineries, one of India’s most important fuel supply hub. While BARC is now on a high alert after an inter-state terror module was busted, it’s now the storage depots of these refineries which face a specific terror threat.

At any given point in time, there is at least 20 lakh kilo litre of petrol, diesel, kerosene, and several other fuel products stored at the refineries’ over 200 massive storage tanks spread in an area of over 700 acres. Experts claim an explosion here would be catastrophic, leaving a radius of upto 2 km completely destroyed.

Not just this, the refineries are key economic targets for terrorists. These two refineries alone can snap supply to Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh for several days, causing several hundred crores of loss.

Security has been heightened after the latest threat, but some loopholes remain.

Fifty-seven buildings near the refineries now lie vacant after an IB warning and Bombay High Court’s ruling. BARC suffers from lack of a unified command and control as both CISF and DAE handle security. A mock drill in July this year confirmed how terrorists could enter the neighbouring Rashtriya Chemical Fertilizers and the Tata Power plant.

In January 2011, disclosures by David Coleman Headley of having surveyed such installations had proved their vulnerability first in May and now, a specific input has put the area on maximum alert.

 

 

Courtesy: IBN