Authorities grope in the dark over what exactly was manufactured inside the factory
TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
MARGAO: Will the government direct its agencies to unearth the manufacturing process as well as the cause of fire at Ms Metroplast Industries at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate?
More than a fortnight after the fire engulfed the industry on January 18, agencies are groping in the dark and have not made any headway into incident till date.
The issue assumes significance in view of the shocking revelation by the Fire Services Department that their personnel did not come across any manufacturing of plastic bottles and drums inside the factory shed.
The authorities, however, seem to be not taking the issue to its logical conclusion till date and are involved in a blame game on the issue.
When Herald contacted Cuncolim Police station in-charge PI Raju Raut Desai to throw light on the fire incident, he said he is awaiting reports from a host of authorities to initiate further action. “I have written letters to the Fire Services, IDC, besides other authorities to submit their inquiry report to the police for appropriate action. Till date, however, my office has not received any report from any authority. I will send reminders to the agencies to act at the earliest,” PI Raut said.
Incidentally, Fire Officer Gill De Souza said he had visited the factory premises post-fire incident, but could not find anyone there. “Till date, we have not found out the factory owner to confront him on a host of issues, including the manufacturing process and the fire safety equipment installed inside the factory,” he said.
Gill had informed newsmen after the fire incident that fire personnel could not find manufacturing of plastic bottles and drums inside the shed, adding that they had come across tar-like substances in drums inside.
What’s interesting to note is that the IDC has maintained that it had leased out the plot in question to Ms Metroplast Industries for the manufacture of plastic bottles and drums. IDC’s field officer at the Cuncolim Industrial estate also could not categorically state what was manufactured inside the ill-fated industry, other than saying that Metroplast was granted permission only to manufacture plastic bottles and drums.
