Ensure regular upkeep, DC tells mishap-prone units

Tribune News Service

Solan, April 17

Deputy Commissioner KC Chaman today directed accident-prone industries to undertake regular maintenance of their manufacturing plants, even if these were closed. The directions were issued following gas leakage at Pidilite Industries at Baddi killing a person and injuring seven others yesterday. The area houses 89 per cent of the state’s industries and is highly vulnerable to mishaps.

Major plants such as Indian Oil Corporation, Jupiter Solar Power, Baddi; Greenlam Industries, Nalagarh; Vardhman Auro Textile, Baddi; as well as two units of Pidilite Industries have been specially directed to ensure regular maintenance even if these are not operational. All industries, except pharmaceutical and food based, have shut their operations after the curfew was imposed, said Chaman.

Officials of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) are also preparing a list of all major accident-prone industries in the state. Aditya Negi, Member Secretary, SPCB, said all deputy commissioners would be provided this list so that regular maintenance of accident-prone industries could be undertaken regularly.

He said the board had directed all deputy commissioners early this year to ensure that all such industries have off-site emergency plans to deal with such eventualities and also ensure regular compliance of the plans.

SPCB officials said safe on-site storage of chemicals was supposed to be ensured by the unit officials as various chemicals had different operating protocols. Factors such as temperature and pressure had to be maintained and it was the responsibility of the managements to seek permission for their upkeep.