VISAKHAPATNAM: Asserting that stern action will be taken against companies that fail to adhere to safety protocols, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday emphasised that though Andhra Pradesh needs industries and investments, it is equally important for companies to adhere to safety protocols.
Naidu arrived in Visakhapatnam on Thursday afternoon to visit the workers who suffered injuries in the fire mishap at a unit of Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited in Atchutapuram SEZ in Anakapalle district on Wednesday. The incident claimed lives of 17 people and left 36 others injured. Among them, 10 are severely injured, while 26 have sustained minor injuries.
Rambilli Police in Anakapalle have registered cases against Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited under Sections 106(1), 125(b), and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Chief Minister interacted with the injured workers and their families at Medicover Hospital, and with the kin of the deceased at King George Hospital (KGH). He later visited the pharmaceutical company’s unit and inspected the accident site.
Speaking to mediapersons after reviewing the situation with officials, Naidu expressed deep concern over the tragedy. He revealed that the explosion, caused by a vapour cloud, could have been avoided if proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) had been followed. “One of the victims sustained 57 per cent burns, another 24 per cent burns, while others suffered 17 per cent and 10 per cent,” he said.
Naidu announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore to the families of the deceased, Rs 50 lakh to those severely injured.
CM calls for high-level inquiry, says 119 incidents reported at SEZ in 5 yrs
A sum of Rs 25 lakh was announced for those with minor injuries. “We can extend monetary support to the families, but cannot fill the void or bring back the deceased family member. The damage cannot be reversed, but we are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not repeat and that public safety is prioritised,” he stated.
Pointing out that 119 incidents had occurred within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the past five years, resulting in the deaths of 120 individuals, Naidu directed all industries, particularly those classified under the ‘Red Category,’ to promptly conduct internal safety audits to prevent further tragedies.
The Chief Minister called for a high-level inquiry into the incident and promised to take stringent action against the management, if negligence is found to be the cause of the tragedy. “Once the report is submitted, I will take serious action against those responsible for the major mishap,” he averred.
“The promoter of the company has not visited the site even after such a major mishap. He has not contacted the administration till now. This is not to the correct approach. We respect industrialists, but they should also take responsibility,” he said. Naidu further said the person who started the industry had entered into partnership with another person, Yadagiri Reddy, due to financial issues. Later, Deccan Chemicals was brought on board leading to some differences which might be one of the reason for the current situation.
He also referred to the LG Polymers incident from four years ago, where toxic gas had leaked, claiming the lives of at least 12 people. Though a high-power committee was formed afterward, little action was taken to address the root causes, he noted. Naidu also instructed enforcement agencies to conduct mass inspections at industrial sites and mandated that inspection reports be uploaded online for transparency.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha explained that the blast occurred when workers attempted to stop a solvent leak on Wednesday. “The incident involved a solvent known as MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether), which had leaked at the factory. As workers tried to contain the leak, gas began to form and spread from the third floor to the lower floors of the building. Unfortunately, before the leak could be fully contained, the solvent contacted an electrical panel, igniting a fire that led to the explosion,” Home Minister Anitha said while interacting with media after arriving at the accident site late Wednesday night.
Rs 2L for kin of deceased: PM
Condoling the bereaved families, PM Modi announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would be given Rs 50,000
