ONGC contacts hospitals for Covid-19

ONGC is preparing for the worst and contacting hospitals in anticipation of Covid-19 emergencies when it evacuates staff from the western offshore when the lockdown ends.

Last month (March) ONGC prepared a contingency plan and stepped up contacts with Mumbai hospitals including Kasturba hospital in Chinchpokhli, Bhabha hospital in Bandra west, Bhabha municipal hospital at Kurla and Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar east. "Anybody with Covid-19 symptoms will first be taken to the Nhava base," we hear.

From Nhava, they will move to one of the above hospitals for further check-ups. ONGC has also set up a high-powered contingency team of EDs and GMs from different departments; managers from the Bassein and Satellite, Neelam and Heera, and Mumbai High fields; the head of operations at helicopter firms Pawan Hans, Global Vectra and Heligo Charters; the harbour master of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Maharashtra state officials.

ONGC has 20 helicopters available, but their carrying capacity will be reduced by up to 50% because of social distancing norms on board. But even with reduced size, approximately 400 people can be transferred in a day, according to ONGC union figures.

ONGC also has six crew boats with a capacity to move 155 passengers each way.