Dy Collector documents regulatory breaches and risk to emergency responders
MARGAO
In a significant development, the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Quepem has dismissed an application filed by Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd for release of the keys of warehouse storing the propellant at Naqueri-Betul.
In the order, JMFC, B Court, Quepem, Manashree M Naik has stated that she is not inclined to grant application made by Ms Hughes Precision taking note of the reply filed by the Deputy Collector, Quepem stating that the company has not compiled with the requirements as mentioned in the lapses and violations.
M/s Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd had moved the JMFC, Quepem with a plea to release the key of its warehouse on grounds that the company is now in possession of a licence from PESO, however the same is pending endorsement for want of unrestricted access to the warehouse.
The company stated that it will abide by the conditions imposed upon by the Court and shall also produce the key, as and when directed by the Court. The company further stated it is ready and willing to execute a bond of any amount as directed by the Court.
In his reply, Deputy Collector, Quepem, Manohar Karekar submitted to the Court a host of lapses and violations observed and documented during the joint inspection.
The Deputy Collector submitted that the facility was found to be storing approximately 11,000 kg of gunpowder (propellant) in Magazine No. 2 without obtaining the necessary prior approval from PESO, stating that the storage of such a highly combustible substance without prior authorisation poses an extreme safety risk, as gunpowder is highly volatile and can ignite easily under improper storage conditions.
The Deputy Collector further submitted that the company failed to obtain a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) under the Explosives Rules before storing the explosives in Magazine No. 2, adding that the absence of a valid NOC indicates a clear violation of safety protocols governing the storage, handling and transportation of hazardous materials.
It was further submitted by the Deputy Collector that the facility did not obtain a construction licence from the Village Panchayat of Betul Naqueri before undertaking developmental activities at the site, thus constituting a direct violation of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, which mandates that any development or construction activity must have prior approval from the local governing body.
“Land conversion sanad under Section 32 of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968 was not obtained for survey no. 82/1 of village Naqueri, Taluka Quepem, resulting in the facility operating on agricultural or non-converted land without the requisite legal authorisation. This constitutes a violation of land–use regulations, as any non–agricultural use of land without a prior conversion sanad from the competent authority is unlawful,” the Dy Collector further submitted.
He added: “The company’s failure to inform emergency responders about the unauthorised storage of 11,000 kgs of gunpowder (propellant) in magazine no. 2 was a critical lapse. By withholding this information, fire fighters and rescue teams were unknowingly exposed to extreme danger, as they entered the site without adequate precautions.”
The Deputy Collector further stated that a major safety lapse identified at the facility was the complete absence of a Disaster Management Plan (DMP), which is a mandatory requirement for industries handling hazardous and explosive materials.
