Revising hazardous material regulations key to averting mishaps

Modernise regulatory framework

The recent blast in Ludhiana’s Indra Colony, which left 12 persons injured, has once again exposed serious lapses in the regulation of hazardous materials. The incident, caused due to the illegal storage of explosives in a residential area, reflects deep-rooted flaws in enforcement and oversight. Despite the existence of the Explosives Act, weak implementation, corruption and poor coordination among agencies have allowed such dangerous practices to persist. This tragedy underscores the urgent need to overhaul the current regulatory framework. Stricter monitoring systems, real-time digital tracking of hazardous substances and periodic inspections by independent safety auditors must be made mandatory. Penalties for violations should be significantly enhanced to deter negligence and illegal storage. Equally important is public participation—citizens must be encouraged to report unsafe practices without fear of reprisal. A modernised regulatory framework—supported by technology, accountability and transparency—will not only prevent such avoidable disasters but also foster a culture of safety and responsibility in industrial and storage operations across the nation.

Novin Christopher

Stricter licencing requirements

In light of the recent tragedy, involving the illegal storage of explosives and other hazardous materials, it is unequivocally necessary to overhaul and significantly strengthen the existing regulatory framework. The current legislation has clearly proven insufficient in deterring illicit practices and ensuring public safety, highlighting a critical failure in both enforcement and monitoring. A revised structure must mandate stricter licencing requirements, establish a centralised, real-time tracking system for material movement and implement a regime of unannounced, frequent inspections by empowered regulatory bodies. Furthermore, penalties for non-compliance, particularly for illegal storage, must be drastically increased to serve as a meaningful deterrent. Ultimately, only a holistic and rigorous reform, emphasising proactive surveillance and severe consequences for negligence can guarantee effective monitoring and prevent catastrophic incidents from recurring in urban centres.

Ishmeet Singh

Public awareness important

The recent tragedy caused by the illegal storage of explosives has highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety rules. Many innocent lives were lost because hazardous materials were not properly monitored or controlled. This shows that our current system of checking and regulating dangerous substances is not strong enough. The government should introduce stricter laws, hold regular inspections and implement tougher punishments for those who break safety rules. All industries handling hazardous materials must keep proper records and follow safety measures carefully. Authorities should also work together to quickly act against any illegal or unsafe storage. Public awareness about the dangers of such materials is equally important, as prevention begins with knowledge and responsibility. Only with strict monitoring, cooperation, and public participation can we stop such disasters from happening again. Protecting human life must always come before negligence or profit.

Manpreet Kaur

Maintain transparent records

The recent calamity caused by the illegal storage of explosives has underscored the urgent necessity for a stronger regulatory framework governing hazardous materials. This tragic event exposed serious lapses in safety monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. To prevent such incidents in the future, the government must implement more stringent laws, conduct regular inspections and impose severe penalties on those violating safety norms. Industries dealing with hazardous substances should maintain transparent records and strictly adhere to prescribed safety protocols. Effective coordination among local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and disaster management departments is also essential to ensure swift preventive action. Furthermore, raising public awareness about the potential dangers of unsafe storage practices can play a vital role in prevention. Ensuring stricter supervision and accountability is not only a legal obligation but also a moral duty to protect human life and maintain public safety.

Chamanpreet Kaur

Extend vetting beyond industry

The recent tragedy is a stark and heart-breaking reminder of systemic failures and it absolutely should prompt a critical re-evaluation of the regulatory framework for hazardous materials, the framework should likely be overhauled. However, the overhaul must be strategic, addressing the specific points of failure that led to the incident. Simply tightening existing rules may not be enough if the underlying system is flawed. An overhaul suggests a fundamental rethinking based on the lessons learned. The goal is to move from a system that theoretically regulates to one that practically enforces and monitors. Local government must create different licence classes based on the type and quantity of hazardous material. As we know that storing a small amount of industrial chemicals should not have the same requirements as storing high-grade explosives. Extend vetting beyond the company to include key personnel and beneficial owners, screening for a history of violations, criminal records or links to illicit activities. It should be mandatory for the companies to justify why they need to store specific hazardous materials and in what quantities, moving beyond mere declaration. Relying solely on businesses to self-report their inventory and compliance is a critical weakness. Local government must empower a dedicated agency to conduct frequent, surprise inspections without the need for warrants based on probable cause, as a condition of holding a licence. Mandate the installation of monitoring systems (eg, sensors, live-streamed CCTV) for high-risk storage sites, with data fed directly to the regulatory authority.

Mohammad Saleem Farooqui

Always take safety precautions

At least 15 persons sustained burn injuries in a blast that occurred in a house in Ludhiana, where firecrackers and potash were stored. In August, a devastating fire broke out at the military ammunition depots in Anantnag (Kashmir), and Bharatpur (Rajasthan), causing huge loss to life and property. Baddowal ammunition depot is located in the heart of Ludhiana city and if a fire breaks out here, there can be large scale death and devastation. Therefore, this depot should be relocated somewhere. Provisions of the Explosives Act, 1884, are being violated with impunity, by big and small players in the region. Though it is a major public safety issue, leading to injuries and fatalities, the administration is yet to take notice of such dangerous practices. Always wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including correct gloves, lab coat or apron, safety goggles used in conjunction with a face shield, and explosion-proof shields, while working with potentially explosive chemicals. Avoid contact with energised electrical circuits, be incredulous, turn off power before any work, use only safe tools, watch what you touch, beware of moisture and avoid keeping metal things around the circuits.

RS Sembhi

Re-evaluate thresholds for regulations

Simply tightening existing rules may not be enough if the underlying system is flawed. An overhaul suggests a fundamental rethinking, based on the lessons learned. The goal is to move from a system that theoretically regulates to one that practically enforces and monitors. Often, confusion between city, county and state agencies leads to gaps in enforcement. Designating one primary authority with clear accountability is crucial. Many regulations only kick in after a certain quantity threshold is met. These thresholds need to be re-evaluated, and regulations for smaller, aggregated risks must be strengthened. Fines must be significant enough to act as a deterrent, not just a cost of doing business. Consider introducing criminal liability for company directors in cases of gross negligence. Create a searchable, public-facing map or database of licenced hazardous material storage sites (with sensitive security details withheld). This allows for community oversight. Encourage employees and neighbours to report unsafe practices without fear of retribution. Educate the public on the types of hazards, what to look for, and how to report concerns safely. Stricter monitoring requires significant funding for inspectors, technology, and training. The political will to allocate these resources is essential. Regulations must be stringent without being so burdensome that they stifle legitimate industry. The tragedy is a symptom of a system that failed at multiple levels perhaps in permitting, inspection, enforcement, or inter-agency communication. A piecemeal response risks leaving other vulnerabilities in place. A comprehensive overhaul, while complex, is the most responsible path forward. It would honour the memory of the victims by creating a legacy of safety, transforming a reactive framework into a proactive, transparent and rigorously enforced system designed to prevent such a catastrophe from ever happening again. The question is not just if the framework should be overhauled, but how quickly and with what level of commitment the authorities will act to rebuild public trust and ensure public safety.

Farzana Khan

Hold regular inspections

Explosives are in high demand around the world during the festive seasons, leading many people to store leftover crackers for future use. Some even sell them the following year when retailers run out of stock. Retailers, in turn, often sell these explosives at inflated prices, seeking profit without considering the potential risks associated with unsafe storage and handling. However, fireworks and explosives are not essential elements of any festival or celebration. Their excessive use contributes significantly to air, noise and light pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The release of harmful chemicals and toxic gases during explosions poses severe risks to human health, animal life and the environment. Moreover, the illegal and unsafe storage of such materials can lead to catastrophic incidents, as recently witnessed in the tragic explosion in our city. To prevent such disasters, strict monitoring and regulation of hazardous materials are urgently needed. The government and authorities concerned must implement stringent laws, regular inspections and licencing systems for the manufacturing, transportation and storage of explosives. Awareness campaigns should also be conducted to educate the public about the dangers associated with illegal storage and the misuse of fireworks.

Simranjeet Kaur

Mandate training for employees

Mandate comprehensive training for all employees handling explosives and hazardous materials. Launch public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the dangers of illegal storage and how to identify violations. While the Explosives Rules, 2008, provide standards for storage distance, regular reviews are necessary to ensure these standards remain relevant for evolving urban density and technology. Simply having regulations is not enough; the effectiveness lies in rigorous implementation and enforcement. The repeated loss of life from preventable explosions caused by illegal fireworks storage demonstrates that the current system is failing. A comprehensive overhaul, focusing on stricter monitoring, enforcement and accountability is essential to prevent future tragedies.

Manmeet Kaur

Punish defaulters severely

Illegal storage of fireworks in the city before and during the festive season should not be allowed. As and when explosions occur, these lead to suffering not only for owners but also to neighbours and passers-by. Only people who have the required licences should be allowed to store and sell explosives. There must also be a strict check on storage places to avoid any accidents. The defaulter must be severely punished by confiscating the explosives. These steps will ensure safe storage of the explosives in the city by the right type of persons and their sale during the festive season.

Gautam Dev

Leverage technology for monitoring

The recent explosives tragedy was a predictable disaster, stemming directly from a critical failure of oversight. Our regulatory framework for hazardous materials now needs a complete overhaul, focusing not on new laws, but on robust enforcement and monitoring. This demands a proactive system of stricter inspections, surprise audits and real-time digital tracking. Accountability is essential. We must impose tougher penalties on both violators and the negligent officials who enable them. Furthermore, improved coordination between police, fire and municipal bodies is non-negotiable. By leveraging technology like GIS mapping and empowering citizens to report dangers, we can finally build a safer, more transparent system and restore public trust.

Jagjit Singh

Admn, public should work in tandem

Regulations for hazardous substances must be made stricter. The government should make stricter laws against these. Public safety should be the top priority. Illegal warehouses should be thoroughly inspected. It is mandatory to follow hazardous materials safety regulations. If someone does not comply, they should be fined. Preparedness of emergency services, technological surveillance like CCTV/GPS and strict punishments will be helpful in preventing such accidents. It is very important to check warehouses every month. People should also be made aware so that they can immediately report hazardous substances to the authorities. If both the government and the people take precautions together, such accidents can be prevented. A separate safety team should be formed for hazardous materials in every city. If safety rules are strictly followed, loss of life can be prevented. It is the responsibility of every person to be careful about dangerous things and follow the law. This responsibility falls on both us and the government. The government should formulate rules and ensure their compliance.

Prabhjot Kaur

Don’t compromise safety over profit

In light of the recent tragedy in the city, involving the illegal storage of explosives, there is an urgent need to revisit and reform our existing framework for handling hazardous materials. This heart-breaking incident, which cost several innocent lives, has once again exposed the serious gaps in our monitoring and enforcement systems. Regulations may exist, but when they are not effectively implemented, they lose their true purpose. The authorities must take this as a wake-up call and initiate a complete overhaul of the safety mechanisms that govern the storage, transportation and disposal of dangerous substances. Regular inspections, digital monitoring and strict penalties for violations should become non-negotiable measures. Moreover, industries dealing with such materials must be held accountable for maintaining transparency and following proper safety protocols. Alongside governmental action, there is also a pressing need to raise public awareness about reporting unsafe or illegal practices. Safety should never be compromised for profit or convenience. This tragedy reminds us that prevention is always better than cure, and only through collective responsibility — from policymakers to citizens — can we ensure that such a devastating event never occurs again.

Veerpal Kaur

Locate factories away from residential areas

The supply and use of hazardous materials should be strictly regulated by the government to ensure public safety. No one should be allowed to use cheap or low-quality materials just to earn higher profits. Strict action must be taken against those who fail to follow the safety rules. Factories dealing with hazardous materials should be located away from residential areas to avoid any risk to human life. It is also important that all factories strictly follow the laws and guidelines related to the handling and storage of such materials. Proper monitoring and regular inspections by the authorities can help prevent accidents and ensure a safer environment for everyone.

Navneet Singh

Ensure accountability at all levels

The recent tragedy in our city caused by the illegal storage of explosives has left the community shaken. It is heart-breaking that innocent lives were lost simply because safety regulations were ignored. This incident exposes the grave loopholes in our current regulatory framework. Authorities must not only impose stricter laws but also ensure regular inspections and accountability at every level. Businesses dealing with hazardous materials should be closely monitored, and violators must face severe consequences. Public safety cannot be compromised for profit or negligence. It is time we learn from this tragedy and build a system that values human life above all else.

Avleen Kaur

Hold regular inspections

The recent tragedy caused by the illegal storage of explosives has once again exposed the cracks in our regulatory system. Lives were lost, families shattered, and trust in safety mechanisms shaken. This incident is not just a failure of individuals but of oversight itself. It is high time the regulatory framework for hazardous materials is completely overhauled. Strict licencing, real-time digital tracking, and surprise inspections must become the norm, not the exception. Accountability should extend beyond paperwork — to every official and business involved. Safety cannot be compromised for profit or negligence. A nation that values progress must first protect its people. This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call — to act, reform, and ensure that such horrors never repeat.

Sonampreet Singh

Stricter monitoring essential

In light of the recent tragedy caused by the illegal storage of explosives, it has become clear that our existing regulatory framework for hazardous materials needs urgent reform. Strict monitoring and accountability are essential to prevent such incidents. Authorities must ensure that every storage site is regularly inspected and that illegal stockpiling is dealt with firmly. Citizens, too, must play a responsible role by reporting suspicious activities. Laws alone cannot bring change unless they are implemented sincerely. It’s time we prioritise safety over negligence and build a system where lives are not lost due to carelessness.

Harneet Kaur

Curb loopholes in existing systems

A recent pattern of tragedies involving illegally stored explosives in India highlights the critical need for a regulatory overhaul to strengthen monitoring and enforcement. Despite existing laws like the Explosives Act of 1884, recent explosions in cities such as Ludhiana, and Kanpur reveal systemic failures in the regulatory framework. The recurring nature of these incidents, from illegally stored potash in a residential home in Ludhiana to unauthorised firecracker manufacturing in Avadi, demonstrates a persistent gap in the regulatory system. These tragedies expose a significant failure in monitoring and enforcement by authorities, such as the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization local police, and district magistrates. In several cases, illegal storage went unchecked, and expired licences were not followed up on. A tragic incident involving illegally stored explosives in Ludhiana, prompted public discussion about overhauling the regulatory framework for hazardous materials. The explosion, which injured several people, including children, highlighted a recurring issue of illegal storage and manufacturing that the current system fails to prevent.

Anmol Singh

Track misuse, illegal activity

Yes, the regulatory framework for hazardous materials must be completely overhauled to ensure stricter monitoring and prevent such tragic incidents. The recent tragedy caused by the illegal storage of explosives highlights the urgent need for stronger laws, better implementation and accountability at every level. There should be a strict licencing system for storage and transport of explosives, with regular inspections by competent authorities. Digital monitoring and surprise audits can help in tracking any misuse or illegal activity. Strict punishment must be given to those who violate safety rules, regardless of their position or influence. Awareness programmes should also be organised to educate the public about the risks of hazardous materials. Only through strong coordination between the government, industries, and citizens can we ensure public safety. A stricter and transparent monitoring system will save many innocent lives and prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.

Ishpreet Kaur

Restrict production of such materials

To deal with such problems, there is a need for stricter monitoring to reduce the hazardous materials that cause significant problems. This is an issue that requires government intervention. Since an ordinary citizen cannot stop or restrict these illegal activities, any attempt would inevitably result in conflict. Therefore, it is necessary that the government takes strict action against those individuals who are involved in the illegal storage of explosives. The government should impose severe penalties or heavy fine on those who are caught red-handed. Firstly, government should restrict making of such materials. If there is no supply of such materials in the market, therefore people are not motivated to purchase them. The manufacturing these materials is the fundamental root cause of the illegal storage and use of explosives. The government should allow producers to manufacturer only the limited stock that is strictly necessary. Allowing extra production of such items will also create a big problem.

Prabhjot Kaur

Govt should make comprehensive efforts

The recent tragedy involving the illegal storage of explosives has underscored the urgent need to strengthen the regulatory framework for hazardous materials. The government plays a vital role in preventing such incidents through effective laws, strict enforcement and regular monitoring. It must ensure that all individuals and businesses handling dangerous substances possess valid licences and comply with safety standards. Regular inspections and surprise checks should be conducted to identify and eliminate illegal storage or unsafe practices at an early stage. Moreover, better coordination among various departments, such as the police, fire services, pollution control boards and local municipal bodies, is essential to ensure quick action when violations are detected. The government should also invest in modern technology and training for enforcement officers to enhance their ability to monitor and respond effectively. In addition, public awareness campaigns must be launched to educate citizens about the risks associated with hazardous materials and encourage them to report unsafe activities. Ultimately, the government’s responsibility goes beyond punishing offenders after disasters occur. It must focus on prevention through proactive governance, transparent systems, and accountability at every level. Only through such comprehensive efforts can future tragedies be avoided and public safety be ensured.

Harmanpreet Kaur