MARGAO
The Indian Army has stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding the propellant storage unit of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd at the Naqueri plateau, adding a significant national security dimension to an already contentious local issue.
In a communication addressed to the Goa Chief Secretary, the Army has sought the government’s support to ensure the smooth functioning of the company, which it describes as a critical supplier of ammunition. The intervention comes at a time when authorities are preparing to submit findings from a joint inspection of the propellant storage facility at Naqueri, even as local residents remain firmly opposed to any move to reinstate the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for storage operations at Magazine No. 2.
It may be recalled that the propellant stored by the company in Magazine No 1 had exploded and caught fire on March 20 last year as a result of which local residents, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and the Betul Panchayat had vehemently objected to the storage unit at the Naqueri plateau.
The NOC had earlier been kept in abeyance by the office of the South Goa District Collector due to the company’s failure to submit a conversion sanad and for not complying with other mandatory permissions and regulatory requirements.
In a letter dated April 7, 2026, addressed to the district authorities, Hughes Precision renewed its request for reinstatement of the NOC, invoking national security concerns to press for urgent approval. The company cited the Army’s communication to the Goa Chief Secretary which underscored its operational importance.
“Hughes Precision is one of our suppliers for critical ammunition and is currently executing a long-pending supply order under emergency procurement,” the Army stated in its letter. It further emphasized that the ammunition is urgently required and that uninterrupted supply from the company is vital for maintaining the operational readiness of the armed forces.
The company has also sought to strengthen its case by pointing to policy-level support. It informed the district administration that the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board had already granted in-principle approval to its proposal to designate a 10,000 square metre area at Naqueri as an Investment Promotion Area. According to Hughes Precision, the formal notification for the same is expected by May 31, which it argues would further legitimize its operations at Naqueri.
However, the situation on the ground remains tense. Local residents have voiced strong opposition to the storage of propellant in the area, citing safety concerns and potential risks, post-March 20, 2025 explosion and fire in Magazine No 1.
The State administration now faces a delicate balancing act—whether to prioritize national security considerations highlighted by the Army or to adhere strictly to regulatory norms and address public safety concerns raised by the local community.
