Telangana witnesses 102 fire incidents in pharma units in 10 years; losses exceed ₹100 Cr

The proposal was announced by Y Nagi Reddy, Director General of Telangana Fire Disaster Response, Emergency & Civil Defence Department, during a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Telangana.

Annual Fire Audits and Online Submissions Proposed

Addressing over 200 industry professionals at the day-long conference `Pillars of Protection – Forging a Safer Future for Pharma and Chemical Manufacturing’ held in Hyderabad, Reddy said: “We have proposed to the Government of Telangana to consider making mandatory annual fire audits for Pharma and Life Sciences Units. You can get it audited and submit the audit reports online, and we will trust you with the same.”

Fire Safety Requires Planning, Execution, and Maintenance

Reddy highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to safety, spanning the entire industrial process.

“Safety in any industry, whether pharma or other industry, comes at three different levels: planning, execution, and operation and maintenance.”

He stressed that safety must be embedded in the initial design and maintained through regular oversight.

“Whether it is industry, VIP, or a common man, one has to follow the process of industrial safety, then only the industry will be saved, not only concerning the individuals who are working and staying.”

Industrial Fires: A Decade of Damage

According to Reddy, Telangana has witnessed 102 major fire incidents in pharma units over the last ten years, resulting in losses exceeding ₹100 crore. He cited one incident where a single factory reported a ₹30 crore property loss and six casualties.

Despite these setbacks, he noted that the Fire Department managed to save property worth ₹4,035 crore in the last year, although ₹1,223 crore was still lost to fire-related incidents.

Technology and Inclusion: Firefighting Robots and Women Recruits

Reddy also shared updates on modernisation within the fire department.

“Three firefighting robots have been deployed in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal, with more to come.”

Additionally, the department is exploring the use of drones and planning to induct women into the fire services, inspired by existing models in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Legal Framework and Responsibilities

The Telangana Fire Service Act, 1999, was also discussed during his session. Reddy pointed to Section 13, which mandates an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Fire Department for hazardous buildings, and Section 19, which places the responsibility for fire safety systems on the building owner or occupant.

He also mentioned the relevance of the National Building Code 2016 in special infrastructure cases like the American Consulate, Hyderabad Metro Rail, and GMR Airport.

“Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr. Reddy concluded, urging industries to treat safety as a culture, not just a requirement.

Compliance Should Be in the Industry’s DNA: Government View

Nikhil Chakravarthi, IA&AS, Director, Commissionerate of Industries, Government of Telangana, underscored Hyderabad’s global stature in pharmaceuticals, noting that 40–50% of global FDA facilities are based in the city.

“Safety is not a department, it’s a culture,” he said, while speaking about the need for industry-wide adoption of advanced techniques like HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Analysis) and Failure Mode Analysis.

He also pointed to emerging tools like AI, IoT sensors, digital twins, and drones that could transform industrial safety practices.

Safety Must Be As Fundamental As Production

B. Raja Gopala Rao, Director of Factories, Government of Telangana, emphasised the foundational role of safety:

“Safety should become a way of life. If safety becomes a culture, then compliance will become easy.”

Pharma Exports Must Reflect Responsible Manufacturing

K. Raja Bhanu, Director General of Pharmexcil, linked safety to global reputation:

“When we export pharmaceuticals, we are not just exporting medicines. We are exporting trust, quality, and commitment to responsible manufacturing.”

He highlighted that India’s pharma exports, currently over $30 billion, are expected to reach $65–70 billion by 2030 and $450 billion by 2047.

Inspections Are Opportunities for Improvement

Dr. Vinay Kumar Gupta, Assistant Drugs Controller (India), CDSCO Zonal Office, Hyderabad, noted the regulatory perspective:

“Identifying even one safety issue can trigger significant improvements in an organisation.”

Telangana: A Pillar in National Pharma Landscape

R. Sivaprasad Reddy, Chairman of CII Telangana and Managing Director of Rachamallu Forgings Ltd, said the state accounts for 35% of India’s pharmaceutical production and 32% of exports. He emphasized the role of awareness programs like Farm Monitor in enhancing industry safety.

Conference Concludes with Call for Collective Action

Chakravarthi AVPS, Convener of the CII Telangana Pharma and Life Sciences Panel and Chairman & MD of Ecobliss India Pvt. Ltd., introduced the conference theme and summed up its objective:

“It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that every manufacturing facility becomes a beacon of protection where safety, sustainability, and operational excellence go hand in hand.”

M. Goutham Reddy, Vice Chairman, CII Telangana & Executive Vice Chairman, Re-Sustainability Ltd, concluded:

“Safety is not just an EHS department’s responsibility, but a top priority that must be led by the managing director or CEO.”