Visakhapatnam HPCL to face action for lapse in safety

VIJAYAWADA: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in Visakhapatnam is to face action for allegedly compromising on safety norms at its crude oil refinery, where a major fire at the crude distillation unit on May 25 caused considerable destruction but no injuries or casualties.

The 10-member committee appointed by Visakhapatnam district administration, including experts from various fields belonging to professional institutions like Andhra University, which carried out an independent inquiry into the fire mishap, has made a preliminary observation that lapse in safety measures has led to the mishap.

Highly placed sources privy to various developments at the plant disclosed that initially it was assumed that the fire mishap occurred due to a mechanical failure. But during the course of inquiry, it has been found that the pipeline at the HPCL refinery had developed cracks at multiple points, which led to the huge fire mishap.

Further probe is on to find out whether the pipeline developed leakage at a particular point or at multiple points, or whether multiple-point leaks developed under impact of blaze.

The 10-member committee will also suggest measures for rectifying lapses to avoid recurrence of such mishaps. The refinery has a capacity of processing 8.3 million metric tonnes of crude per annum. In the process, it extracts LPG, kerosene, diesel, naphtha and other products. The capacity of the plant is proposed to be increased to 15 million metric tonnes per annum.
Sources said breakage of the pipeline raises issues like irregularities in regular maintenance, corrosion, quality of metal used for making pipelines, wear and tear, apart from compliance with safety standards.

Committee members will discuss their independent findings at the plant. They will come up with a common report specifying reasons for the fire mishap and measures to be taken for rectifying lapses and ensuring safety. The finalised report will be submitted to the state government.

A senior government official, who is a part of the 10-member committee, said, “The cause of fire is breakage of pipeline at a single place or multiple points. This is a serious lapse, which will be dealt with as per norms.”

Source say stakeholder departments will serve a show-cause notice on the plant. Based on the reply from plant management, further action will be taken, including booking a case under relevant sections of Factories Act, 1948, and AP Factories Rules, 1950.

HPCL has also ordered an internal inquiry into the mishap.