In an explosion in one of the largest explosives exporting factory, during separation of rejected detonators from explosives by cutting wires, a mechanical cutter fell down on the explosives below causing the blast leading loss of two lives and injuring 13 others with some of them receiving severe burns.
One of the injured suffered hearing loss during the incident.
The site was visited by State Home Minister, Police and other officials.
Police registered case under various sections of IPC (Indian Penal Code) for negligent act and others leading to personal harm and initiated the probe.
As per reports, the persons doing the job were retired employees as contract workers having experience.
There were also reports of demanding for shifting of the factory from residential premises.
There were some fatal incidents earlier also in the last 10-15 years.
To avoid such incidents, possibility of automation of removal of rejected detonators needs to be explored.
As the cutter fell down below on explosives during the job, and it is likely that such slippages can happen, suitable path for shifting of material below as soon detonator is separated from the explosive material for every explosive or collecting the explosive material under water or any other medium has to be seen.
Governments have to ensure that industrial areas are well separated from residential areas. There should a sort of no habitat zone between industries and residential areas. It is natural that wherever development is there, the surroundings will see growth of residential areas with a view to gain from real estate price increase.
Definitely, large industrial complexes would have been set up far away from residential areas at that time. Earlier remote places would have become part of the present cities due to growth. Shifting of industries also will be costly and who will foot this cost.
Hence, a policy as suggested above is required with marked zones and no-man zones.