As per the recent announcement by a senior IOCL official on Saturday, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd’s (IOCL) Paradip unit in Odisha's Jagat Singhpur district will remain shut for 22 days starting July 25^th for maintenance related issues. The company authorities stated that nearly 800 workers will remain active on the site where operations would be carried out while adhering to COVID-19 safety standards. The refinery authorities stated that the maintenance work is mandatory for ensuring plant’s operational safety and efficient functioning. The company officials also mentioned that section-144 will remain in force around the refinery premises to avoid unnecessary congregation in the pandemic times. The 15 million tonnes per annum unit underwent its last maintenance activity in March 2018. Commissioned in 2016, the refinery is envisioned as the energy gateway to Eastern India and is into manufacturing of several petroleum products such as LPG, Propylene, Petrol and Diesel, Kerosene, Aviation Turbine Fuel, Sulphur and PetCoke.