The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : `VIP visits will hamper relief operations'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 09, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

`VIP visits will hamper relief operations'

Special Correspondent

Political leaders asked to establish liaison with the Government and ONGC officials

HYDERABAD: Politicians and VIPs should refrain from visiting the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC) blowout site in Tandavapalli village in East Godavari district as it would hamper relief operations, said disaster management expert, A.V.S. Reddy.

"As the relief operations are technical in nature, it is advisable for the leaders to avoid crowding the place," Dr. Reddy told The Hindu on Thursday. Reacting to the blowout in the ONGC well on Thursday, the State Election Commissioner, who as a senior bureaucrat had considerable experience in tackling disasters, said the leaders should establish liaison with the Government and ONGC officials to oversee relief work.

Recalling his experience during the Pasarlapudi blowout near Amalapuram in 1995, Dr. Reddy pointed out that local leaders had created a tough time for officials who were in the thick of relief operations. "These leaders virtually prevented officials from performing their duties which badly affected the relief work," he remarked.

He said the immediate task of the relief officials was to cordon off the affected area, evacuate residents of nearby places and stop people from making a beeline to the spot.

Control rooms should be established at the State and district headquarters besides the one by the ONGC. Media should be given timely updates to quell rumours.

He said the ONGC was capable of handling such grave situations. "The recent mishap in Bombay High was much worse than the present one. But, the ONGC managed to contain the fire and safely evacuate hundreds of trapped workers," he added.

He exuded confidence that the ONGC relief team would bring the fire under control.

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