Sigachi Pharma blast: Telangana govt forms panel with CSIR-IICT experts to identify cause
Telangana forms panel to find cause; CSIR-IICT scientist Dr Venkateswar to lead team
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy
Hyderabad: The Telangana State government has constituted a committee with experts from CSIR-IICT to identify the causes, establish reasons and examine the events that led to the major explosion at Sigachi Industries.
The committee will also provide suggestions to prevent such industrial accidents in future and submit its report within a month.
Explosion claims over 40 lives
The tragic incident occurred on June 30 at around 9:20 am in Sigachi Industries Ltd, located at Plot Nos. 20 and 21, IDA Phase-I, Pashamylaram, Patancheru mandal, Sangareddy district.
The factory manufactures microcrystalline cellulose powder used as a binding agent in pharmaceutical tablets and capsules. At the time of the explosion, 143 workers were present inside the premises. The blast resulted in the death of more than 40 people and left several others injured.
Committee members
The government issued orders on Tuesday, constituting an expert committee comprising:
Dr B Venkateswar Rao, Emeritus Scientist, CSIR-IICT ā Chairman
Dr T Prathap Kumar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IICT ā Member
Dr Surya Narayana, Retired Scientist, CSIR-CLRI Hyderabad ā Member
Dr Santosh Ghuge, Safety Officer, CSIR-NCL Pune ā Member
Committeeās terms of reference
The committee will identify causes and establish reasons behind the explosion, examine whether Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for worker safety were followed, assess compliance with chemical and industrial safety norms and recommend measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Report within a month
The committee has been directed to submit a detailed report along with specific suggestions and recommendations within one month. During its enquiry, it will interact with management, staff and workers of Sigachi Industries, as well as relevant consultants and government officials.
The Director of Factories, Telangana, will provide necessary assistance and information for the investigation, according to a government order released on Wednesday.
