BICHOLIM
Explosions reverberated through the vicinity of Muslim Wada in Bicholim as four to five blasts occurred at the iron smelting furnace at Kairao Rolling Mills, shaking houses up to half a kilometer away.
Luckily there was no loss to life or injuries to any workers in the mill when reports last came in.
Bicholim fire brigade officials swiftly responded and managed to successfully contain the fire at the scene, originating from the furnace.
The exact cause of the explosions is yet to be ascertained.
Local reports indicate that the series of explosions emanated from the rolling mill's furnace, prompting immediate action from nearby residents and firefighters from Bicholim to mitigate the situation.
Expressing dismay, locals have called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, highlighting concerns over potential hazards and demanding accountability from authorities and the management. Preliminary assessments suggest that there were no casualties, but residents demanded a thorough inquiry by Bicholim police.
This incident reignites longstanding grievances over previous explosions and environmental concerns linked to the facility. Earlier protests had urged halting the project, emphasizing the need for dialogue between locals and the management.
In response to a similar incident two years ago, additional safety measures were demanded, leading to the installation of protective covers around the factory premises. Despite the fire brigade's intervention, the company has yet to disclose further details.
MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye also called for an exhaustive investigation into the matter, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the importance for transparency and accountability.
