Punjab Police reaffirms commitment to safeguarding national assets in oil and gas sector

The 5th Onshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) meeting for Punjab took place on Thursday at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh, under the chairmanship of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Security SS Srivastava, who represented DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

Senior officials from Punjab Police, including ADGP Internal Security Shive Kumar Verma and ADGP Cybercrime V Neeraja, participated in the meeting, along with OSCC Chairman ED (O&M) GAIL RK Singh and Advisor (Security) GAIL Saurabh Tolumbia. Representatives from the oil and gas sector, Intelligence Bureau, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other relevant departments were also present.

During the discussions, representatives from companies such as GAIL, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, HMEL, Think Gas, and Torrent Gas provided insights into their operations and outlined security challenges affecting their installations.

Key topics included strengthening security measures, enhancing security protocols, and utilizing advanced CCTV surveillance for improved vigilance.

Addressing the gathering, ADGP SS Srivastava underscored the importance of maintaining a strong information network to address issues like oil theft and pipeline leakages. He also highlighted the need for regular mock drills and continuous updates to contingency plans, particularly in high-risk zones.

Reaffirming Punjab Police’s commitment to supporting oil and gas companies, the ADGP encouraged stakeholders to seek assistance for any security-related concerns. He stressed the significance of effective coordination among all stakeholders to safeguard national assets.

ADGP Shive Kumar Verma emphasized the necessity of collaboration between oil and gas companies, local police, and the administration, stating that a strong liaison is crucial for effective security and management.

Highlighting the increasing threat of cyber security breaches, ADGP Cyber Crime V Neeraja assured comprehensive support from the Punjab Cyber Crime Division. She proposed deploying specialized teams to assess cybersecurity frameworks and provide recommendations to enhance security at oil and gas installations.