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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the District Magistrate of Meerut to submit a detailed report within two weeks on the steps taken to compensate the family members of the victims of a blast at a soap factory in the city. The report should also ascertain the real cause of the blast. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for January 16, 2024.
NGT acted on unpermitted factory explosion
A suo motu exercise of powers registered the original application based on a news item titled “Four dead, five injured after blast in soap factory in Meerut,” published in the Hindustan Times. The article reported an explosion at a soap factory in the Lohia Nagar locality in the city which resulted in four deaths and five injuries.
Lohia Nagar is a residential area developed by the Meerut Development Authority. However, industrial activities are taking place in the area, and the units are operating without the necessary permissions from the competent authorities, as per the report submitted by the District Magistrate to the NGT. The report also suggested the possibility of the unit using hazardous chemicals.
The NGT order dated November 1, 2023, came in response to the news item published in the Hindustan Times on October 17, 2023. The news reported an explosion in a soap factory at Lohia Nagar locality, Uttar Pradesh Meerut, which resulted in four deaths and five injuries.
The report filed by the District Magistrate, Meerut, revealed that industrial activities were ongoing in Lohia Nagar, a residential area developed by the Meerut Development Authority. The units were operating without the requisite permissions from the competent authorities. The report also raised the possibility of the unit using hazardous chemicals.
NGT seeks compensation and safety measures
However, the report did not disclose the action taken to grant compensation to the family members of the deceased victims and to ascertain the real cause of the blast in the soap factory. The District Magistrate has requested further time to file a report on the matter within two weeks.
The NGT’s order is a significant step towards ensuring justice for the victims of the blast and their families. It underscores the importance of adhering to safety norms and regulations, especially in residential areas where industrial activities are taking place. The order also highlights the need for stringent action against units operating without the necessary permissions and using potentially hazardous chemicals.
The case will be heard next on January 16, 2024. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of industrial safety and adherence to regulations.
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