Ratnagiri: Spread over 1,700 acres of hilly terrain in the coastal belt of Konkan, the Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Ltd (RGPPL) project is believed to be highly vulnerable in the wake of the recent terror attack of November 26.

Though the company has not beefed up existing security, it has requested the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for 200 security personnel.

The gas-based power project in Dabhol has a huge supply of gas and liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Currently, only 160 guards, hired from a private security agency, patrol the premises of the project.

According to the local political leadership, the security has been limited to the areas of operation within the premises and some of the production plants are separated from the surrounding areas with only barbed wire.

The plant has its own jetty on the rear and the company is planning to ferry LPG once the LPG unit is functional in three to four months. Earlier, the jetty was used to supply naphtha and gas. After the project shifted to gas-based generation, the jetty is not being used at full capacity. Once fully operational, it will be a challenge for the administration and the government to protect it.

"Since the project is a government undertaking with a maximum stake held by NTPC and GAIL we have approached the central government for CISF security. We will be receiving it by April next year as the LPG unit and jetty will be functional by then," said an RGPPL spokesperson from Dabhol headquarters.

Local BJP MLA Vinay Natu said that no serious security measures were being undertaken by the company, and the project was not fully protected.

Source : Central