Question : FIRE EXPLOSION INCIDENTS



(a) the details of fire/explosion incidents took place during the last three years till now in various Ordnance Factories/Depots/sub-depots/trucks and loss suffered by the Government as a result thereof;

(b) the loss of life and property suffered in each incident, separately;

(c) whether inquiries have been conducted by the Government into these incidents;

(d) if so, the causes thereof, incident-wise and the action taken against the persons held responsible in each case; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 102 FOR 7.3.2002.

The details of fire/ explosion incidents which occurred during the last three years in various Ordnance Factories and Ordnance Depots and the loss suffered thereof, the causes of the incidents and action taken against the individual held responsible are furnished below :-

(a) Fire/Explosion incidents at Ordnance Factories

Sl.	Date	Factory	Loss	Likely Causes	Action taken
No.	of	sustained	of Accident	against	Accident	individuals	held	responsible	for the accident
Life Govt. Loss Property (in lakh)
1 28.08. Ordnance Nil Rs. Initiation of No individual 99 Factory, 5.96 highly was found Bhandara inflammable responsible by ether and the Board of ignition of Enquiry propellant due to flash from lightning arrestor during thunder.
2 28.10. Ordnance Nil Rs. Fire due to No individual 99 Factory, 0.20 friction was found Dehu between high responsible by Road speed drill the Board of bit and Enquiry accumulated explosive powder during drilling of illuminating candles.
3 19.2.20 Ordnance One Negligi Explosion No individual 00 Factory, ble during gauging was found Khamaria operation of responsible by 84 mm TPT the Board of round Enquiry
4 22.3.20 Ordnance Nil Rs. Fire due to No individual 00 Factory, 4.40 leakage and was found Chanda exposure of responsible by Plasticized the Board of White Enquiry Phosphorus to atmosphere from Bomb body
5 7.8.20 High One Rs. Violent No individual 00 Explosive 0.01 deflagration was found Factory, of Nitrating responsible by Kirkee mixture during the Board of nitration Enquiry
6 28.9.20 Ordnance One Rs. Accidental No individual 01 Factory, 0.11 functioning of was found Varangaon highly responsible by sensitive the Board of initiator Enquiry composition during handling
7 16.10.2 Ordnance One Board Board of Board of 001 Factory, of Enquiry Report Enquiry Report Khamaria Enquiry awaited awaited Report awaited

8 30.11.2 Ordnance Three Rs. Explosion due No individual 001 Factory, 46.55 to fall of box was found Itarsi containing responsible by dry/ hot the Board of Nitrocellulose Enquiry Nitroglycerin paste and resultant impact
9 07.01.2 Ordnance Nil Board Board of Board of 002 Factory, of Enquiry Report Enquiry Report Khamaria Enquiry awaited Awaited Report awaited


(b) Fire/Explosion incidents at Ordnance Depots/ Sub Depots and carrying Trucks
Sl. Date Factory Loss Likely Causes Action taken No. of sustained of Accident against Accident individuals held responsible for the accident
Life Govt. Loss Property (in lakh)

1 28.04.20 Ammuniti 2 Rs. Short circuit/ Disciplinary 00 on 39300.00 sparking on action is Depot, electric pole being taken Bharatpur against defaulters
2 03.05.20 Ammuniti Nil Nil Grass fire due No individual 00 on to high was found Depot, temperature responsible by Dehu and strong the Board of Road winds Enquiry
3 28.05.20 Central Nil Rs. Cause of Administrative 00 Ordnance 400.00 accident could action is Depot, not be being Kanpur conclusively initiated established. against Possibility of Commandant of sabotage, COD and two though not other established, officers. could not be Disciplinary ruled out. action is also being initiated against two army officers two civilian officers and four other personnel.
4 29.04.20 2 Nil Rs. Cause of Administrative 01 Ammuniti 2769.00 accident could / disciplinary on Sub not be action has Depot, conclusively been taken Mamoon established against the (Pathankot) Possibility of defaulters. sabotage or careless discarding of Bidi/Matchsticks, though not established, could not be ruled out.
5 24.05.20 2 One Rs. Self actuation Administrative 01 Ammuniti 37800.00 of copper / disciplinary on Sub azide action has Depot ammunition. been initiated Bridhwal against (Gangana officers gar) responsible.
6 03.06.20 Ordnance Nil Rs. Sabotage/arson Being referred 01 Depot, 287.00 Being to CBI for Shakurba referred to further sti CBI for investigation further investigation
7 06.08.20 Central Nil Nil Court of Court of 01 Ordnance Inquiry report Inquiry report Depot, awaited awaited. Jabalpur
8 11.01.20 Truck Two Court Court of Court of 02 carrying of Inquiry report Inquiry report ammuniti Inquiry awaited. awaited. on at report Bikaner awaited



Board/ Court of Enquiry to investigate into the causes of fire/explosion and to suggest remedial measures had been constituted in all the cases of fire/explosion incidents.

The remedial measures suggested by the Board/Court of Inquiry have been implemented in Ordnance Factories to avoid recurrence except for some of the remedial measures as given below: -

(1) Ordnance Factory, Khamaria (Date of Accident – 19.2.2000) – Provision of helmet to staff and workers is being examined.

(2) High Explosive Factory, Kirkee (Date of Accident – 78.2000) – The possibility of washing Nitrator with acetone every fortnight is being examined.

(3) Ordnance Factory, Itarsi (Date of Accident – 30.11.2001) – Twelve remedial measures have been implemented. Balance three measures are under implementation.


The following measures have been taken to prevent incidents of fire and explosions at Ordnance Depots: -



(i) Construction of covered accommodation to house the entire quantity of ammunition held in the depots.

(ii) Upgradation of security and fire fighting arrangements in the depots.

(iii) Disposal of unserviceable particularly unstable and dangerous ammunitions.

(iv) Suitable instructions on security and fire fighting have been issued by Army Headquarters.

(v) All the depots have been instructed to update and implement the updated safety and security instructions.

(vi) Periodic inspection by Board of officers to check adequacy of safety and security arrangements has been ordered.

(vii) The shortage in fire fighting equipments is being made up.

(viii) Depots have been instructed to clear the grass and if required employ casual employees or hire bulldozer for this purpose.