Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Today, the Odisha State Police Headquarters hosted a high-level meeting of the Fourth Onshore Security Coordination Committee to examine improved security measures for the state’s crucial petroleum infrastructure. Under the guidance of DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, Director General of Police (Crime Branch) Binaytosh Mishra chaired the meeting, which featured in-depth discussions on a range of security-related topics with senior executives from well-known oil and gas corporations.
The need of proper coordination and collaboration between Odisha Police and oil firms was emphasized throughout the meetings. Important infrastructural, transportation, and petroleum storage facilities are located throughout several districts of Odisha, including Paradip. Petroleum products are supplied to other states by pipelines run by several businesses that cross many districts.
Adherence to company policies, bolstering internal security systems, taking tough measures against repeat offenders, preventing anti-social elements from misusing drones, reducing oil theft and pipeline vandalism, controlling fire and explosion risks, technical aspects of petroleum infrastructure, awareness programs in villages along pipelines, preventing encroachments and unsafe activities near pipelines, professional investigation of theft and serious cases, and giving priority to pipeline-related crimes were all important topics.
Mishra assured full police support for the security of oil companies and stressed the importance of better coordination between company officials and district/local police. He advised on information sharing, local intelligence gathering, patrolling, periodic review meetings at state, range, and district levels, exchange of information on suspicious activities, and use of secure communication channels for sensitive data. Attendees included Director (Intelligence) Shri R.P. Koche, Additional DGP (Law and Order) Shri Sanjay Kumar, Additional Police Commissioner Shri Narasingha Bhol, DIG (Central Range) Shri Satyajit Naik, along with senior executives from IOCL (including CGM Kamal Shil, CGM Security Tarun K. Bishai, and CGM Operations Shri R.K. Sahu), BPCL, HPCL, and GAIL.
The meeting underscores Odisha Police’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s energy assets amid growing concerns over theft, vandalism, and potential threats.
