New Delhi: A CNN-IBN report on lax security at key oil installations in the country drove the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas into a tizzy on Thursday evening and an immediate security review was ordered at all oil refineries, depots and installations.
With minutes of airing the CNN-IBN special investigation report, the ministry asked the CMD of Bharat Petroleum for an immediate internal inquiry on security lapses at its depot in Panipat. The oil ministry also asked the CMDs of other oil companies to take measures to ensure that similar security lapses don't recur.
Earlier, immediately after the 7/11 terror attack in Mumbai , the ministry had declared a red alert at all oil refineries, depots and installations.
However, based on specific intelligence that the petrol adulteration mafia in Haryana has easy access at the Bharat Petroleum Depot in Panipat, the CNN-IBN Special Investigation Team did a spot-check only to discover alarming security lapses at this key oil installation, which is situated just 90 km away from the national capital.
It took just Rs 500 for the guard at the gate to sidestep all security procedures and let the CNN-IBN team in. The CNN-IBN team not only entered the premises, it also recced the Administrative Block and other offices and even made its way into the high-security fuel storage area unchecked.
The storage facility had about 40,000 kilolitres of petrol and diesel. The CNN-IBN investigative journalist even had a matchbox with him even though it is a complete no-no in that area. There was no one to stop him, no one to ask him who he is or what is he doing there.
In another investigation, CNN-IBN exposed the rampant adulteration of petrol in Uttar Pradesh. Reacting to the report, the Oil Ministry will start a nationwide campaign against petrol adulteration.
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