NOC on hold; authorities wary of compliance lapses as fresh IPB nod raises questions
A massive fireball illuminates the night sky following a devastating explosion at the propellant storage site of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Unit on March 20, 2025.
MARGAO
As March 20 marks one year since the explosion that rocked the propellant storage site of Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd at Naqueri plateau, the company continues to remain without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Kushavati district Collector.
For, the NOC in question has been kept in abeyance reportedly due to the company’s failure to secure essential approvals, including a conversion sanad, construction licence, and other mandatory permissions required for storing propellant at the site.
However, a critical question has now emerged: Is Hughes Precision Manufacturing attempting a comeback at Naqueri through the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB)?
According to local officials, the Goa IPB, at its 41st Board meeting held in February 2026, approved a proposal by Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd involving an investment of Rs 2 crore for an arms and ammunition manufacturing unit at Naqueri.
Officials familiar with the developments remain cautious about the company’s possible return. They pointed out that Kushavati district Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, had earlier kept the company’s NOC in abeyance pending submission of key documents, including the conversion sanad, construction licence, and compliance with other stipulated conditions.
This has raised concerns over whether the company may be attempting to bypass mandatory local permissions by seeking approval through the IPB route.
Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd had come under scrutiny from statutory and district authorities following the March 20, 2025 explosion at its propellant storage unit in Naqueri. Subsequent investigations revealed the existence of an additional adjoining storage unit containing approximately 13.5 tonnes of propellant, raising serious questions about safety compliance and regulatory oversight.
On February 6, 2026, Deputy Collector, Kushavati district Avelina D’Sa had written a letter to the MD, Ms Hughes Precision informing that the NOC is kept in abeyance until the submission of conversion sanad, construction licence and other mandatory permissions/ compliances. However, the company has told they may reapply for the NOC after obtaining the requisite permissions and compliances.
As the anniversary of the incident passes, uncertainty continues to surround accountability for the explosion and the company’s future at the site.
Multiple violations found at premises after fire
MARGAO: Various lapses and discrepancies had come to light during a joint inspection of Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Unit Pvt Ltd after the March 20 fire incident.
A glance at the submissions made by Quepem Deputy Collector Manohar Karekar, while objecting to the company’s plea for release of the keys of the propellant storage unit at Naqueri-Betul, showed a host of lapses and violations.
One, the Deputy Collector submitted the facility stored the gunpowder (propellant) in Magazine No. 2 without obtaining the necessary prior approval from PESO.
The storage of such a highly combustible substance without prior authorisation poses extreme safety risks, as gunpowder is highly volatile and can ignite easily under improper storage conditions.
The company failed to obtain a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) under the Explosives Rules before storing the explosives in Magazine No. 2.
The absence of a valid NOC indicates a clear violation of safety protocols governing the storage, handling and transportation of hazardous materials.
The facility did not obtain a construction licence from the village panchayat of Betul-Naqueri before undertaking developmental activities at the site. This constituted 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.
A year on, Naqueri blast cause still a mystery
MARGAO: A year has passed since a massive fireball erupted at Naqueri plateau, triggering panic among local residents after an explosion at the propellant storage unit.
Yet, the cause of the blaze continues to remain a mystery, with no agency — either the Fire Services or the police — having conclusively ascertained what led to the incident.
Police sources indicated that determining the cause of the fire does not fall within their jurisdiction. “It is not the mandate of the police to issue a report on the cause of the fire,” a source said, adding that the matter lies within the domain of the Fire Services and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
Fire officials were unavailable for comment. In the past, however, they had maintained that an inquiry was underway to establish the exact cause of the fire.
A senior police officer noted that the district authorities should make public any findings, particularly if PESO has examined the incident at Naqueri on March 20 last year.
“An inquiry into the incident by PESO or Fire Services could have provided crucial insights into the cause of the fire. This, in turn, would have helped local authorities enforce stricter fire-prevention measures while granting permissions for gunpowder storage units in the State,” the officer said.
Propellant shift from Naqueri in final stage
MARGAO: The removal and transportation of approximately 13.5 tonnes of propellant from Magazine No. 2 of Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd at Naqueri plateau to its Verna unit is in the final stages.
The Quepem court had, last year, permitted the de-sealing of Magazine No. 2 and the transportation of the propellant after the company submitted that the material was of military grade. The company also informed the court that it had received an order from the Indian Army for the supply of over 4.40 lakh rounds of ammunition.
However, the court had directed the company to notify the office of the Quepem Mamlatdar before opening the storage unit and transporting the propellant to its manufacturing facility at Verna.
Officials from the Quepem Mamlatdar’s office confirmed that the operation is nearing completion. “Out of the total 13.5 tonnes of propellant stored in the unit, barely 500 kg remains to be transported,” an official said.
The movement of the propellant marks a significant step in clearing the Naqueri storage site, which had come under scrutiny following last year’s explosion and fire incident.
Chargesheet against company awaited pending forensic report
MARGAO: Nearly a year after the incident, Cuncolim police have stated that a chargesheet will be filed against the management of Ms Hughes Precision Manufacturing once the long-awaited forensic report from Pune is received.
Sources indicated that the delay in filing the chargesheet was due to the pending forensic analysis.
Police had earlier registered an FIR against the company’s management and staff under Sections 223, 288, 326(g), and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 5 and 6 read with 9B and 9C of the Explosives Act, 1884.
The FIR stated that the company allegedly stored propellant (gunpowder) illegally and negligently in Magazine No. 2 without obtaining the required licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), in violation of prescribed conditions.
The police further alleged that the management failed to disclose the presence of the stored material in Magazine No. 2 to fire officials, police, and other authorities during rescue operations after a fire broke out in Magazine No. 1, thereby endangering human life and property.
