Mangaluru: Residents from areas surrounding Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) staged a protest near the company’s cargo gate on Wednesday, demanding that the refinery assess and repair houses allegedly damaged in the blast at its premises.
The protest followed a blast at MRPL’s Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) around 12.20 pm on Wednesday. A fire broke out following the blast, leaving eight people injured, according to reports. Two employees working at the affected unit were reportedly among those injured.
The incident also caused concern among residents in nearby villages, with several people claiming that the impact of the blast damaged houses in the surrounding areas.
Residents demand repairs to damaged houses
Following the blast, residents inspected properties in the neighbourhood and reported damage to some houses. They subsequently demanded that MRPL conduct an assessment of the affected properties and undertake necessary repairs.
The residents said the company should take responsibility for damage caused to properties in areas surrounding the refinery.
They also warned that MRPL should not resume operations without addressing the concerns of people living near the facility. The protesters sought immediate action on the reported structural damage and greater attention to the safety of residents living close to the refinery.
The protestors later gathered near the MRPL cargo gate, where they staged a demonstration for around an hour.
Cargo gate closed during protest
During the demonstration, protesters closed the MRPL cargo gate and raised concerns over the company’s handling of safety issues.
The protesters alleged that greater importance was being given to refinery operations than to the safety and concerns of residents living in nearby areas.
They also claimed that the actual number of people injured in the incident could be higher than the officially reported figure, alleging that more than 50 people may have sustained injuries. This claim was made by protesters and was not independently confirmed in the report.
The protest remained focused on the alleged damage to residential properties and the demand for an assessment and repairs by MRPL.
Injured shifted to hospitals
Following the blast and subsequent fire, several injured persons were taken to hospitals in Mangaluru for treatment.
Four of the injured were admitted to A J Hospital, while some others were taken to Srinivas Hospital. One injured person was shifted to MRPL Hospital for treatment.
The emergency warning siren inside the MRPL facility was sounded around 12.45 pm following the incident.
The blast occurred at the Coker Hydro Treating Unit at approximately 12.20 pm, following which a fire broke out at the facility.
The incident prompted an emergency response inside the refinery, while residents in surrounding areas reported hearing the blast and experiencing its impact.
Police intervene to control situation
Bajpe police reached the protest site after residents gathered near the cargo gate and attempted to pacify the protesters.
As tensions continued, Panambur Sub-Division ACP Srikanth visited the area and took steps to bring the situation under control.
The protesters were subsequently dispersed from the location.
The police intervention brought the protest to an end after residents had demonstrated near the cargo gate for around an hour.
Blast raises safety concerns
The protest has highlighted concerns among communities located close to the MRPL facility following the blast.
Residents have sought a detailed assessment of the damage caused to houses and have demanded that the company repair properties found to have been affected by the incident.
The concerns come as authorities and MRPL assess the circumstances surrounding the blast and fire at the CHTU.
MRPL had earlier said that the incident occurred after the rupture of a Cold Separator operating at high pressure in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit. The affected unit was isolated and the company’s emergency response and firefighting teams were deployed following the incident.
The company subsequently said the fire was brought under control and completely extinguished.
Residents seek action before operations resume
The protesters’ principal demand was that MRPL address the reported damage to houses before resuming normal operations.
The residents have also called for greater attention to safety measures at the refinery and for their concerns to be addressed following the incident.
A detailed assessment by the authorities and the company will be required to establish the extent of damage to residential properties and determine the appropriate relief and repair measures.
With residents raising concerns over both property damage and safety, the incident is likely to remain a significant issue for communities living around the MRPL premises as investigations into the blast continue.