SUO MOTU STATEMENT IN LOK SABHA BY
PETROLEUM MINISTER ON HELICOPTER CRASH IN MUMBAI HIGH
Shri Ram Naik, Minister
of Petroleum & Natural Gas, informed the Lok Sabha in a suo
motu statement today that the helicopter engaged by ONGC which
crashed in Mumbai High area has been retrieved from the sea-bottom
in the early hours of today. The Minister said that 22 bodies
were found in the helicopter and search continues for the remaining
two. Shri Naik added, out of 29 persons on board (25 officials
of ONGC, 3 contractor’s employees, 4 crew members), 2 persons
were rescued and bodies of 3 persons were recovered earlier.
Shri Naik also informed
that in addition to the statutory investigation ordered by DGCA,
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has decided to hold an
Independent Inquiry by a three-member committee to look into the
safety and security of life in the offshore operations. The committee
would especially inquire into the air logistics, maintenance,
repair and renovation of offshore structures and pipelines, hiring
of helicopters and matters ancillary thereto. The Committee would
submit its report within 3 months. The Minister also informed
the House about the directions given to CMD, ONGC to draw up an
emergency plan for strengthening safety measures within a fortnight.
The Minister has announced payment of compensation including additional
ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakh per employee over and above the
normal financial compensation available in such circumstances.
Following is the
text of statement Tabled in the House today:
"I am indeed sorry
to inform Hon’ble Members that in an extremely unfortunate accident,
a MI-172 helicopter chartered by ONGC from MESCO Airlines crashed
on 11th August morning. The helicopter had taken off
from ONGC Helibase at Juhu, Mumbai at 1137 hrs. The helicopter
landed on ONGC Rig-Sagar Kiran and took off from there at 1215
hrs. to move to another ONGC rig-Sagar Jyoti. Immediately on take-off
from Sagar Kiran, the helicopter crashed into the sea with 25
passengers including 14 officers and 8 Workmen of ONGC, 3 contract
employees and 4 crewmembers.
Rescue operations
were immediately initiated by launching rescue boat from Sagar
Kiran as well as mobilizing ONGC vessels in the vicinity. Other
helicopters on charter were also pressed into service for search
and rescue. Coast Guard and Navy also joined search and rescue
operations within one hour. While 2 persons were rescued, bodies
of 3 persons, who died in the incident, were recovered. The multipurpose
supply vessels deployed by ONGC have located the debris of the
ill-fated helicopter on 12th August early morning at
a depth of around 80 metres. In the early hours today the helicopter
was retrieved from the sea bottom and 22 bodies were found therein
and identified. Search continues for remaining two bodies.
As per information
available from ONGC, the helicopter was reported to be airworthy
and no snag was reported at the time of takeoff on 11th
August, 2003. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas had requested
Ministry of Civil Aviation the same day to institute an enquiry
to look into the circumstances of the incident. Director General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has accordingly ordered a statutory investigation
by V.K. Chandna, Deputy Director General.
In addition to the
above, it has been decided to hold an Independent Inquiry by a
three member Committee which, inter-alia, would look into the
safety and security of life in offshore operations, especially
air logistics, maintenance, repairs and renovation of offshore
structures and pipelines, hiring of helicopters and matters ancillary
thereto. The Committee would report within three months.
CMD, ONGC has been
asked to draw up an emergency plan to further strengthen safety
measures for air transportation in the offshore so as to make
them fully comparable with the best global standards, in consultation
with DGCA, within a fortnight.
As per ONGC’s policy,
the families of the deceased employees are entitled to financial
compensation ranging from Rs. 14.3 lakh to 23.5 lakh, besides
standard benefits like Contributory Provident Fund, Gratuity,
Leave Encashment and Pension under Self-Financing Scheme etc.
The contract employees are entitled to compensation under the
Workmen Compensation Act. I have announced an additional ex-gratia
benefit of Rs. 5 lakh per employee.
I rushed to Mumbai
by the first available flight after hearing the sad news of the
incident and went to Juhu Helibase of ONGC. In Mumbai, I met representatives
of officers and Employees Associations and discussed follow up
measures with CMD, ONGC and Directors of ONGC.
The Collectives from
Mumbai Region have written to me on the 11th August
2003 regarding a number of their demands pending settlement of
which the offshore operations may be affected from 0600 hours
of 13th August 2003. This charter was received late
at night on that day. I have urged the Collectives not to take
any action which may adversely affect the oil and gas production
from Mumbai Offshore and thereby the national economy, at this
critical juncture. I do hope that they would listen to my appeal
and maintain normal production. Meanwhile, ONGC management had
approached Mumbai High Court which has directed the employees
not to disrupt production.
