E-Paper
Units ignoring safety norms
This was the second major incident of fire that took place here within a month. The incident is said to be the fallout of flouting safety norms by the entrepreneurs here. In Beconganj, where the fire broke out, thousands of leather industry units are running illegally in the basement of houses situated in narrow lanes of this densely populated area.
This was the second major incident of fire that took place here within a month. The incident is said to be the fallout of flouting safety norms by the entrepreneurs here. In Beconganj, where the fire broke out, thousands of leather industry units are running illegally in the basement of houses situated in narrow lanes of this densely populated area.
According to sources Beconganj Chamananj, Iftekharabad, Coolibazar and Latouche Road areas have thousands of small and micro units engaged in manufacturing leather and rubber articles. In these units no safety norms are followed. Also most of these units are running in the areas that don’t have proper approach roads. That is why in case of any fire or other incidents, it is always difficult to carry out relief and rescue operations. Besides all leather units consume heavy amount of spirit, acetone, thinners and rubber solutions, which are highly inflammable products. Sources alleged that most of these illegal units were running with the blessings of the local police and other government officials.
CFO Devi Prasad Shukla expressed concern over the poor fire fighting facilities in the city. He further said that according to the population there should be at least 10 to 15 fire stations against existing five to manage the growing fire incidents in the city. “What we can do is only to serve the notice if we found anyone flouting the norms required for fire safety but we have no power to execute these norms forcibly. If we found any unit is running illegally without getting our NOC we inform this to the district administration and to the directorate of industries rest action is depend on them,” he said.
