MARGAO
Five days after the gunpowder/propellant storage unit at Naqueri-Betul was engulfed by fire and explosion on March 20, the Cuncolim police have on Tuesday registered FIR against the management and staff of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd for negligence and for endangering human lives.
Action by the Cuncolim police comes following a complaint filed by the Deputy Collector, Quepem and against the backdrop of the report filed by officials of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO).
In his memorandum, Quepem Deputy Collector, Manohar L. Karekar has directed the Cuncolim police to conduct a thorough inquiry under relevant legal provisions and to register a FIR immediately concerning the unauthorized storage explosives, violations of safety regulations, and other regulatory breaches.
The Cuncolim police was further directed to ensure that the affected magazine and the adjacent unauthorized storage facility at Naqueri are secured with 24x7 surveillance to mitigate further risks.
A glance at the memorandum issued by the Deputy Collector, Quepem shows that Magazine No. 2, situated approximately 60 metres from Magazine No. 1, contained explosive materials. “It appears that the company was operating Magazine No. 2 without obtaining the requisite license from PESO, in violation of the terms and conditions specified in License No. 34/01/2024/EXP/MAG/MO.4555 dated 12-11-2024. Moreover, company officials failed to disclose the stored material of Magazine No. 2 to the police, fire personnel, and other authorities involved in the rescue operation when Magazine No. 1 caught fire”, the memorandum stated.
The memorandum added: “This critical lapse in communication posed an extreme safety hazard, as the proximity of Magazine No. 2 significantly increased the risk of a secondary explosion. The failure to disclose this information not only endangered the lives of responding personnel but also heightened the potential for extensive destruction and casualties in the surrounding area”.
Additionally, it was revealed that M/s Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd, had assigned only one security guard for duty during the daytime, and no personnel were deployed during the night.
Besides, the deputy Collector further stated that a number of violation were observed during the inspection. One, it was revealed that "No Smoking" signboards were not installed at the entrance gate and that fire safety measures, specifically two Dry Chemical Powder trolley-type extinguishers were not maintained.
He further stated that no motorable road access was available for the free movement of emergency vehicles. “Steel channels and bars were stored in the corridor of Magazine No. 2. along with a generator containing fuel (Petrol/Diesel), an electric welding machine, an electric rod-cutting machine, an electric breaker, and barbed wire rolls, suggesting that welding work was being conducted in the vicinity of explosive materials”, the memorandum stated.
Further, it was found that approximately 11,000 kg of propellant was stored in Magazine No. 2 without authorization from PESO.
“The company negligently stored welding materials, including steel channels, bars, and barbed wire rolls, along with welding and cutting equipment and a generator within the corridor/lobby of Magazine No. 2. The use of petroleum-based equipment in proximity to explosive materials posed a severe threat to life and safety’, the memorandum added.
