Noida fire: Minister, factory owners want all industrial units inspected
There are nearly 8,000 industrial units engaged in manufacturing inflammable materials — electronics goods, chemicals, engineering tools, machinery, garments, plastic mouldings and corrugations — in Noida.
Industrial development minister Satish Mahana has directed the fire department officials to inspect all industrial units in Noida to ensure that fire safety measures are in place, in three months.
Mahana was in Noida on Thursday to take stock of the situation after Wednesday’s fire incident in Sector 11 left six dead and resulted in the loss of property worth crores.
Aman Sharma, deputy director, fire services (Meerut), said,“The minister has given us three months to complete inspection of all industrial units. It is a Herculean task but the orders will be followed in letter and spirit. We are on the job.”
Earlier in the day, the Noida Entrepreneurs’ Association (NEA) demanded inspection of all industrial units.
There are nearly 8,000 industrial units engaged in manufacturing inflammable materials — electronics goods, chemicals, engineering tools, machinery, garments, plastic mouldings and corrugations — in Noida.
NEA president Vipin Malhan said, “Some industrialists, in collusion with unscrupulous fire department officials, bypass fire safety measures. In order to save a few lakhs, some factory owners grease the palms of corrupt officials. Inadequate measures lead to loss of life and property.Such people have to realise that they are not only endangering the lives of their employees but theirs as well,” he said.
NEA general secretary VK Seth demanded that the cancellation of no-objection certificate (NOC) of non-complying units.
“Fire safety equipment, of various types to combat fire depending on the nature of production taking place in the industry, must be in place before no-objection certificate is issued to an industrial unit. The NOC of units that are not adhering to the norms mused be withdrawn,” he said.