45 days after fire, Naqueri firm resumes propellant transportation to Verna unit

A vehicle waiting at the Magazine No. 2 at Naqueri for loading of propellant for transportation to the manufacturing unit at Verna.

MARGAO
Exactly 45 days after fire and explosion engulfed Magazine No. 1 of Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Company Ltd, triggering panic and tension amongst the inhabitants on the Naqueri-Betul plateau, the company has started the process of transporting the propellant stored in Magazine No. 2 to the manufacturing unit at Verna.

Transportation of the propellant from Magazine No. 2, approximately pegged around 13.5 tonnes, began after officials of the Salcete Mamlatdar office de-sealed the magazine which was sealed on the directions of the South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus after the March 20 incident.

The turnaround in favour of the company after the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Quepem allowed Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing unit to release the propellant after the same was sealed by the Salcete Mamlatdar upon the Collector’s directions.

Sources told The Goan that the company has so far made around three trips, transporting around 600 kgs of propellant from the Magazine No. 2 located at Naqueri since the JMFC, Quepem granted its application for the release of the propellant on April 28.

Every time, the company intends to transport the propellant from the magazine to the manufacturing unit at Verna, officials of the Quepem Mamlatdar office are being kept in the loop as per the Court’s directions.

Besides, the Cuncolim police along with other authorities continue to maintain vigil at the site as per the district Collector’s directions to ensure that no human being strays close to the ill-fated magazine as a precautionary measure.

Officials informed that the company is transporting the propellant from Magazine No. 2 as per the orders of the Court, which had granted its application for release of the propellant.

Magazine de-sealed, but cause of fire still shrouded in mystery

MARGAO: The JMFC, Quepem court’s order has finally paved the way for the de-sealing of the Magazine No. 2 and the transportation of the 13.5 tonnes propellant stacked inside the unity. The fire and explosion in Magazine No. 1 on the night of March 20 is still shrouded in mystery over the exact cause behind the fire.

Local authorities wash their hands off on the question of the cause behind the fire, by saying that the matter is being investigated by an expert agency Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the authority that grants the nod for the setting up of magazines to stack propellant.

However, it is not yet clear whether PESO had shed light on the exact cause behind the March 20 fire at the Magazine No. 1 or whether the local agencies are treading a cautious path not to make the report public till date.

While company sources say that the Naqueri fire is a rare incident that has taken place in recent times, the cause behind the fire and explosion continues to be shrouded in mystery.

“We have no idea what is the cause behind the fire and explosion. Agencies such as PESO and the District Collector would be in a better position to shed light on the cause behind the incident,” remarked a senior police official.

Officials in the district Collectorate have been maintaining a stoic silence when questioned over the exact cause behind the fire and why the report on the incident is still not placed in public domain.

Court cites safety risks, clears propellant release for defence

MARGAO: Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Company Pvt Ltd had contended before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Quepem that the propellant in question is a military grade and Indian Army has placed a supply order for delivery of more than 4.40 lakh rounds of ammunitions.

In fact, the company had submitted before the court in support of its plea for the release of the propellant sealed in Magazine No. 2 that “due to the delay in approval of PESO, the date of delivery is altered to June, 2025.

Hence, the company had prayed for the release of the 13.5 tonnes of propellant stored in Magazine No. 2 and to allow the use, transport, storage of the propellant in Magazine No. 2 till the time it is being shifted to the concerned manufacturing unit at Verna.

While granted the company’s application for release of the propellant, JMFC, Quepem Suman C Gad had observed, “Admittedly, the seized propellant was to be used for the preparation of ammunitions for Indian Army. The seized propellant would be dangerous to the public and environment if kept lying in Magazine No. 2. The destruction of the propellant would also be hazardous to the public and the environment at large. The possibility of an untoward event cannot be ruled out if kept lying in the Magazine No. 2 for a longer period.”

Considering the nature of the seized propellant, the judge had observed that its protection and guarding is not reasonably possible. “Looking into the nature of the seized propellant, it may lose its worth and value if not put for use. Since, the applicant is ready to abide with all the conditions imposed by the Court to release and use the aforesaid seized propellant, I am of the view that it would be just and proper for the safety purpose to permit the release and use of the seized propellant to the applicant by imposing necessary conditions. As the applicant has shown his ownership over the seized propellant, he is entitled for the possession of the same and its use,” the judge added.