THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARADIP, MAY 7, 2026

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) successfully concluded its week-long Fire Safety Awareness Week with widespread participation from officials, industries, educational institutions, CISF personnel, community volunteers, and local residents, reaffirming the Port’s commitment to building a robust culture of fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Organized by the Paradip Fire Department in collaboration with CISF and various stakeholders, the programme commenced on April 14, 2026, with the objective of strengthening awareness on fire prevention, disaster management, and emergency response mechanisms across the Port township and surrounding areas.

Centered around the theme, “Safe School, Safe Hospital and Fire Safety Aware Society – Together for Fire Prevention,” the initiative highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in minimizing fire hazards and enhancing community resilience. Throughout the week, a series of educational workshops, live fire safety demonstrations, emergency drills, public outreach campaigns, and community engagement programmes were conducted across schools, industries, residential colonies, and public spaces.

The valedictory ceremony was held at Jayadev Sadan in the presence of senior officials, Heads of Departments, CISF personnel, employees, and members of the public. Addressing the gathering, P. L. Haranadh, Chairman, Paradip Port Authority, emphasized the crucial role of community participation in promoting fire safety awareness and preparedness.

Reaffirming PPA’s vision of transforming Paradip into a premier “Fire-Safe Port,” the Chairman said that Paradip Port remains the only port in India where the CISF Fire Wing is entrusted with complete fire safety operations. He underlined that there would be no financial constraints in procuring advanced firefighting equipment and modern safety infrastructure, stressing that investments in safety systems are essential for protecting lives, port operations, and critical infrastructure.

Highlighting key initiatives aimed at reducing fire risks and improving emergency healthcare support, Haranadh announced that Pipenet Natural Gas (PNG) connections would be introduced to 586 residential quarters by June 5 on the occasion of World Environment Day, replacing conventional LPG systems. The initiative is expected to significantly lower fire hazards while also benefiting residents through reduced costs.

The Chairman further informed that a state-of-the-art Trauma Care Centre with a specialized Burn Unit — the first such facility in the region — has been established at the Port Hospital to provide immediate treatment for fire-related injuries and emergency cases.

He noted that through continuous modernization of firefighting equipment, regular training of personnel, and sustained awareness programmes across institutions and industries, Paradip Port Authority is steadily emerging as a national benchmark in industrial safety and disaster preparedness.

Earlier, Sanat Kumar Patel, Commandant, CISF, delivered the welcome address, while Manoj Chauhan, Deputy Commandant (Fire), presented the annual performance report of the CISF Fire Wing, highlighting operational achievements, emergency response capabilities, and preparedness initiatives undertaken during the year.

The event was attended by Ajinkya Baburao Mane, Additional SP, Paradip Port; A.K. Bose, Adviser (Traffic); Capt. Alekha Charan Sahoo, Deputy Conservator; Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Das, Chief Medical Officer, along with several senior officials and dignitaries.

Awards for Best Housekeeping and prizes for various competitions organized during the week were distributed among school students, housewives, PPA employees, port users, industries, and members of the public for their active participation in spreading fire safety awareness.

The concluding ceremony also featured impressive Fire Rescue and Disaster Management demonstrations by the CISF Fire Wing, showcasing modern firefighting techniques, rescue operations, and rapid emergency response preparedness.

Akash Jaiswal, Assistant Commandant, CISF, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Paradip Fire Department expressed gratitude to all participating organizations, volunteers, and citizens for their wholehearted support in making the awareness campaign a grand success. The department reiterated its commitment to continuing public awareness initiatives and strengthening emergency response systems to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.