Question : DANGER OF FIRE IN ORDNANCE DEPOT, SHAKURBASTI

(a) whether the Government are aware that the ordnance depot in Shakurbasti, which caters mainly clothing items and stores a limited number of arms and ammunition, has caused fears among the residents of the area since it is located near the heavily populated colonies and shares the boundary wall with several storage units of gas, oil and petrol factories; and

(b) if so, the precautionary steps taken or proposed to be taken for the safety of that depot and the population residing around it from any untoward incident like Bharatpur fire?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) : Yes, Sir. The Ordnance Depot, Shakurbasti holds different types of stores, including general stores, armaments, clothing, electronic and transport stores. No ammunition is stored in the Depot. Oil, gas etc. are stored by various Petroleum Companies at locations about 1 Km. away from the Depot storage area.

(b) : All necessary precautions have been taken by the Depot to prevent any fire hazards within the Depot. The Depot has a fire brigade which is manning 3 fire stations inside the Depot. Its perimeter is guarded round the clock to check unauthorised entry. Day and night patrolling is carried out within the Depot. Precautionary measures to prevent fire are taken regularly through cutting of grass and keeping the area clean.