Indian Navy Conducts Bi-annual ‘Prasthan’ Exercise off Mumbai Coast

The Indian Navy, in collaboration with various defense, state, and civil agencies, recently concluded a comprehensive two-phased exercise named ‘Prasthan‘ in the Offshore Development Area off the Mumbai coast. This exercise, conducted every six months, is pivotal in validating and refining measures and procedures aimed at addressing various contingencies that may arise in oil production platforms.

Phase One: Responding to Security Emergencies

• The first phase of the exercise focused on simulating security emergencies, including potential terrorist attacks and bomb threats involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
• The R12A (Ratna) Platform of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), located approximately 83 km away from Mumbai harbor, served as the setting for these simulations.

Swift Activation and Coordinated Response

• Upon receiving simulated threats, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Mumbai, and the Commander-in-Chief (Coastal Defence), West activated the necessary contingency plan.
• The Crisis Management Committee (CMC), comprising senior officials from various defense, state, and civilian agencies, convened at the Indian Navy’s Operation Centre to facilitate a coordinated response to the emergencies.

CMC Evaluation and Navy-Air Force Collaboration in Phase One

• The CMC assessed different aspects of the emergencies and initiated coordinated actions by relevant agencies, adhering to established Standard Operating Procedures.
• The Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, deployed anti-sabotage teams to neutralize security threats on the affected oil platform.
• The first phase also addressed contingencies such as terrorist intrusion, bomb threats, man overboard situations, medical evacuation of platform crew, and oil spills.

Phase Two: Action Against Environmental and Operational Contingencies

• The second phase of the exercise focused on responding to contingencies such as fires on the oil platform and assisting a disabled vessel in the offshore development area.
• Multiple assets, including ships and helicopters from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, ONGC, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Director General of Shipping, were deployed for this phase.

Collaboration Across Civilian Agencies

• Participation extended beyond the defense sector, with personnel from Maharashtra Police, Customs, Fisheries Department, Mumbai Port Authorities, JN Port Authorities, India Met Department, and other state and central civilian agencies actively taking part.

Coordinated Efforts and Realistic Assessments

• The drills and procedures undertaken in both phases of ‘Prasthan’ were executed in a synergetic and coordinated manner.
• This approach provided a realistic setting to assess the preparedness of all concerned agencies in tackling diverse contingencies and evaluating the efficacy of existing coordination procedures.

Post-Exercise Analysis

• With the conclusion of the exercise, a detailed analysis of all activities will be undertaken. This post-exercise evaluation aims to refine existing procedures and identify areas that require further strengthening and improvement.
• The collaborative efforts of defense, state, and civil agencies during ‘Prasthan’ contribute significantly to enhancing the overall security and emergency response capabilities in the Offshore Development Area off the Mumbai coast.

Important Questions Related to Exams

Q: When is the ‘Prasthan’ exercise conducted by the Indian Navy?

Answer: The ‘Prasthan’ exercise is conducted bi-annually.

Q: What is the purpose of the ‘Prasthan’ exercise?

Answer: The exercise aims to validate and refine measures and procedures for addressing contingencies in oil production platforms.

Q: Apart from defense agencies, which other entities participated in the exercise?

Answer: Personnel from Maharashtra Police, Customs, Fisheries Department, Mumbai Port Authorities, and other state and central civilian agencies participated.