A high-level meeting of the Fourth Onshore Security Coordination Committee was held today at the Odisha State Police Headquarters to discuss enhanced security measures for the state’s vital petroleum infrastructure.
Chaired by Director General of Police (Crime Branch) Binaytosh Mishra, on the directions of DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, the meeting saw detailed deliberations on various security-related issues with senior officials from prominent oil and gas companies.
The discussions emphasised the need for appropriate cooperation and coordination between Odisha Police and oil companies. Odisha hosts critical petroleum storage, transportation, and infrastructure facilities, including in Paradip, across multiple districts. Pipelines of various companies traverse several districts, supplying petroleum products to other states as well.
Key topics included adherence to company guidelines, strengthening internal security systems, strict action against habitual offenders, preventing misuse of drones by anti-social elements, curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism, managing fire and explosion risks, technical aspects of petroleum infrastructure, awareness programs in villages along pipelines, preventing encroachments and unsafe activities near pipelines, professional investigation of theft and serious cases, and prioritizing pipeline-related crimes.
Mishra assured full police support for the security of oil companies and stressed the importance of better coordination between company officials and district/local police. He advised on information sharing, local intelligence gathering, patrolling, periodic review meetings at state, range, and district levels, exchange of information on suspicious activities, and use of secure communication channels for sensitive data.
Attendees included Director (Intelligence) Shri R.P. Koche, Additional DGP (Law and Order) Shri Sanjay Kumar, Additional Police Commissioner Shri Narasingha Bhol, DIG (Central Range) Shri Satyajit Naik, along with senior executives from IOCL (including CGM Kamal Shil, CGM Security Tarun K. Bishai, and CGM Operations Shri R.K. Sahu), BPCL, HPCL, and GAIL.
The meeting underscores Odisha Police’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s energy assets amid growing concerns over theft, vandalism, and potential threats.
