Nagpur, March 2 A day after a powerful explosion at an explosives manufacturing unit in Nagpur district killed 19 workers, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday called for 100 per cent automation of certain protocols and processes in the manufacturing of explosives.
The managing director of SBL Energy Ltd, which owns the unit, was among nearly a dozen people who have been arrested in connection with the blast, he informed.
Fadnavis said it has been observed that even the slightest human error can trigger accidents, and he advocated for full automation of certain operations at explosives manufacturing facilities to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The state government will study this technological aspect and prepare a detailed report, which will be sent to the Centre for consideration, the CM maintained.
At least 19 workers died and 23 others were injured in the explosion at the detonator assembly unit of SBL Energy Ltd, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer, at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil of Nagpur district on Sunday morning.
Speaking to reporters after visiting some of the injured persons admitted to a private hospital in Nagpur, Fadnavis said an FIR has been registered against 21 people in connection with the blast, and 11 of them, including the managing director of SBL Energy, have been arrested.
Fadnavis noted that the rules regulating such sensitive establishments date back to 2008, while technology has undergone a significant change since then. Hence, there is a need to re-evaluate the protocols governing these units.
The CM said accidents can still occur even after conducting safety audits of such establishments, and it is necessary to ascertain whether a lack of supervision or negligence by officials was the main cause behind these tragedies.
Fadnavis maintained that his government will conduct a study on whether certain protocols and processes in the manufacturing of explosives can be made 100 per cent automated.
"We will approach the central government with the findings of the study and its suggestions. It is necessary to consider full automation of some processes because explosives are highly flammable, and even a minor human error can cause an accident and endanger the lives of people," he stated.
Fadnavis said the company operating the blast-hit unit (SBL Energy) will pay a compensation of Rs 75 lakh to the families of each of the deceased and Rs 25 lakh to every injured person.
Besides, the state government will provide Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, while the Centre will give Rs 2 lakh to them, he added.
