Smoke and flames billow from Indian Oil Corp's fuel depot as a body of a victim lies in Sitapura industrial area inthe outskirts of Jaipur. REUTERS
The seven-member committee headed by former Chairman and Managing Director of HPCL M B Lal will go into the causes behind the fire that has claimed 12 lives and suggest holistic safety measures to the ministry, official sources said here.
The committee members, accompanied by civil and police authorities, visited the site and surrounding fire affected areas, and talked to people to collect first hand information about the blaze that has been raging for five days now.
The committee members include Executive Director of Oil Industry Safety Director (OISD) J P Verma and Rajasthan Petroleum Secretary Govind Sharma. The team has to submit the report within six weeks.
On Sunday, the Rajasthan government had directed state officials to prepare a survey report and adopt a follow up action plan with regard to the massive fire which broke out at the IOC fuel depot near here.
Chairing a high-level review meeting with his cabinet colleagues and senior officials, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asked the administration not to leave any stone unturned in extending assistance to the victims and ensure that the fire does not spread further, an official release said.
The district collector who visited the site today also apprised Gehlot about the suggestions made by fire experts that instead of adopting alternative methods to douse the fire, it would be far better and safer to let the fire die down on its own.
CAN WE ALLOW SUCH PRECIOUS IMPORTED MATERIAL [CRUDE OIL] TO GO TO FIRE?
IOC TOP MANAGERS RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING THAT TERMINAL IN A SAFE & EFFICIENT MANNER MUST BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED FROM THE SERVICE TO PREVENT ANOTHER IDENTICAL FIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION BE DONE BY "BRITISH PORT FIRE & SAFETY" EXPERTS AS THEIR INTEGRITY & PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE IS UNCHALLENGABLE.