MARGAO
In a major development, the Jt Chief Controller of Explosives, West Circle, Navi Mumbai, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has said the licence of the magazine storing propellant, which was involved in the fire and explosion at Naqueri-Betul on March 20 night may perhaps be cancelled by the Chief Controller of Explosives, Nagpur for violations in the interest of public safety.
As far as the second Magazine storing approximately 10 metric tonnes of Propellant at Naqueri-Betul is concerned, the Jt Chief Controller of Explosives was categorical in saying the 10 Mt tons of propellant has been found kept in an unauthorised manner in the magazine situated nearby, for which the licence is not yet been granted.
In fact, the Jt Chief Controller of Explosives has pointed out that only construction approval has been granted for the second magazine at the site, but added that the licence has not been granted till date by the Chief Controller of Explosives, Nagpur, virtually conforming the fears expressed by Naqueri-Betul villagers that propellant is being stored in the second magazine sans the mandatory licence.
A memo prepared by the Jt Chief Controller of Explosives, West Circle, PESO stated that the Chief Controller of Explosives, Nagpur had on May 4, 2021 has granted license to Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, Goa for storage of “Propellant Defense”, valid up to March 31, 2027.
“As reported about 15 MT tones of imported propellant was kept stored in the magazine at the time when the accident occurred. Due to the explosion, the magazine walls and roof have collapsed rendering the same unfit for storage of explosives”, the memo added.
The memo added; “During the preliminary inspection after the accident by an officer of this office on March 22, it was observed that another magazine was situated at a distance of 60 metres from the affected magazine. On inspection of the same, it was observed that about 10 MT of propellant was stored in the magazine. As per information received from the licensee as well as online licensing records, it is seen that only construction approval dated January 31, 2022 was granted for the same, but the license has not been granted till date by the Chief Controller of Explosives, Nagpur”.
Also, during inspection of the manufacturing premises of use of explosives, about 120 -150 kgs of propellant was found stored in the factory premises of Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, Verna-Goa.
PESO has already suspended the licence of magazine involved in the accident and that of the explosives van on March 21 after receipt of intimation of the accident from the district Magistrate, South Goa for violation of rule 118 (2)(ii), Rule 131 and condition 28 of Set VIII of Scheduled V of the Explosives Rules, 2008. Given the situation, the Jt Chief Controllers of Explosives, Nagpur has recommended that the e licence of the magazine may perhaps be cancelled by the Chief Controller.of Explosives, Nagpur for the above violations and in the interest of public safety.
The senior official has further requested the South Goa district Magistrate to keep the affected magazine as well as the other magazine under guard 24x7 in the interest of safety and security.
