Team Herald
MARGAO: Within 48 hours of the massive blast and fire at a gunpowder storage facility that rocked Naqueri-Betul on Thursday night, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has suspended the licences of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, which was operating the storage facility.
PESO’s decision came after a site inspection on Saturday, which aimed to assess the damage and determine the cause of the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that significant safety protocol lapses occurred at the facility, raising concerns about the handling and storage of hazardous materials. The bast had shaken buildings around the area, with the fire visible for many kilometres in all directions, though there were no casualties.
The regulatory body, which operates under the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, deemed the storage facility unsafe for use. The decision followed a comprehensive report from South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus, who visited the site on Thursday night to oversee emergency operations.
In a formal notice issued to Hughes Precision, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, R Rawat, confirmed that the company's licence to transport explosives by road was suspended. This temporary measure was taken under Section 6€ of the Explosives Act, 1884, and Rule 118(5) of the Explosives Rules, 2008.
The company has been given 21 days to submit a written explanation as to why its licences should not be permanently revoked.
District Collector Cleetus highlighted that PESO’s suspension was based on the findings from her office, which confirmed the fire had been quickly contained, preventing further damage. The PESO inspection team is expected to release a detailed report in the coming days, outlining the cause of the fire and the extent of the violations.