Media Release

Shirur, Jul 25: In a remarkable display of coordination and bravery, a large-scale rescue operation was carried out by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), in collaboration with the district administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Navy, Fire brigade, police, and other officials, following a devastating landslide on July 16. The landslide resulted in an LPG tanker being swept away from NH66 near Shirur into the Gangavali river.

The tanker, carried by the river's strong currents, travelled nearly 7 kilometers before coming to rest in the middle of the river. From July 17 to 19, rescue operations were meticulously conducted to first bring the LPG tanker to the riverbank. This was followed by a controlled and safe evacuation of the product and the final degassing of the tanker.

For HPCL, the operation was led by Dharmendra Kumar Behura, general manager of the south zone. He was supported by a dedicated team comprising Shivraj Singh, safety officer at MLIF, Rajkumar Garapati, plant manager at Hubballi, Chetan Chandel, regional manager at Hubballi, Abhinav Kumar, sales officer at Belagavi, Diwas Bhuyan, safety officer at MLIF, and Vithoba Gad, safety officer at Goa.

Additionally, a technical team from MLIF played a pivotal role in the evacuation and degassing of the LPG tanker. This team included Manoj Kumar, Sanket Kumar, Rattan Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Santosh Kumar, Jitendra Kumar, Somna, and Denzil D’Souza.

The operation showcased exceptional teamwork and coordination among various agencies, ensuring the successful and safe recovery of the LPG tanker. This joint effort has been praised for its efficiency and effectiveness in averting potential hazards and ensuring public safety.