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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2694
ANSWERED ON -16/03/2026
TECHNICAL AND SURVEILLANCE FAILURE AT BOMBAY HIGH (ONGC)
2694 SHRI RAVI CHANDRA VADDIRAJU:
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Vessel and Air Traffic Management System (VATMS) failed to
detect an organized breach of the 500-meter safety zone at Bombay High recently, resulting in a
loss of approximately ₹30 crore;
(b) specific technical reasons why the electronic surveillance and radar systems did not trigger an
immediate response from the Offshore Defence Advisory Group (ODAG) during this multi-day
looting operation;
(c) whether Government has identified the specific maritime routes used by the Mafia
vessels to transport heavy industrial batteries from the rigs to the mainland; and
(d) the measures being implemented to ensure instant interception by Coast Guard and ONGC to
enforce an absolute zero-tolerance zone?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (d): Recently an incident related to breach of safety zone occurred at unmanned platform at
Mumbai High which has caused financial loss to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
Limited for which a case has been registered with the Yellow Gate Police Station in
Maharashtra, having jurisdiction in this matter.
As confirmed by HQ- Offshore Defence Advisory Group (ODAG) that some of the unmanned
platforms at very distant locations from the process platforms fall out of the range of the radars
for detection of small targets; hence, fishing vessels/small boats operating far away from the
process platform may not be detected. HQ-ODAG (Indian Navy) is the operating Armed Force
in Western ODA. Regular meeting are being held with the HQ-ODAG (Indian Navy), Coastal
Police Officials and Indian Coast Guards to make this area an absolute zero-tolerance zone.
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