NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, NOV 6
In the wake of a powerful explosion in a chemical godown that killed 12 labourers two days ago, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on Friday sealed six industrial units which had stored hazardous chemicals without permission or licence from government authorities.
Following the November 4 tragedy near here, the AMC’s Estate-Town Development and Solid Waste Departments initiated a special drive to identify industrial units and godowns where hazardous chemicals have been stored illegally, said a release from the civic body.
During the drive on Friday, officials found half-a-dozen such units, having cumulative construction of 4,050 square metres, in Lambha ward on the city’s outskirts, the release said.
This is the same industrial belt where the blast took place.
Since these units and godowns did not have permission or licence to store hazardous chemicals which they were found in possession of, the AMC sealed these facilities, said the release, adding the drive will continue in the coming days.
Twelve labourers, including five women, were killed and 10 others injured after a portion of the godown located on Pirana-Piplaj Road on the city’s outskirts collapsed on Wednesday morning following the powerful explosion.
Primary investigations had revealed that hazardous chemicals stored in one part of a large godown exploded following some chemical reaction.
The blast destroyed three to four adjoining godowns where labourers were packing garments.
After the blast, the Ahmedabad police on Thursday lodged an FIR and arrested three persons – two godown owners and their tenant who had stored chemical drums – on charges of culpable homicide.
Senior IAS officer Vipul Mittra, who is part of a two-member probe panel appointed by the Gujarat government, on Thursday asked the AMC to take action against godowns where hazardous chemicals have been stored in violation of rules.
One dead in effluent unit fire at Dahej chemical factory
A labourer working at a pesticide factory in Dahej industrial area in Bharuch district was killed after a fire broke out in the unit’s effluent treatment plant on Friday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Ramkumar Chaudhary (40), who was working at the treatment plant when the fire erupted, Bharuch Superintendent of Police Rajendrasinh Chudasama said.
Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot after getting a call about the blaze in the afternoon, he said, adding that it was doused within an hour.
“After the fire was extinguished, Chaudhary’s body was found lying in the debris. He was the only person working in the effluent treatment plant when the mishap occurred. Nobody else was injured in the incident,” Chudasama said.
Factory inspector N D Vaghela told reporters that presence of some chemical or its reaction in the effluent treatment plant may have triggered the fire, but the exact reason would be known after a probe.
