Dombivli Blast: Maha CM Shinde Directs 'Hazardous' Chemical Companies To Move Out Of Residential Zones

Following the Dombivli blast, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde instructed companies that deal with highly hazardous chemicals to move away from residential areas.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed companies that deal with hazardous chemical to move out of residential areas in the aftermath of the Dombivli chemical factory blast.

As many as nine people were killed in the balst while 56 others were injured. CM Shinde, said that Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) should shift the hazardous chemical companies to the lands that have been purchased in Ambernath, or "they should change the land use from chemical to IT, engineering, or textile", as per a PTI report. 

Shinde said in view of risks posed by certain categories of industries, the government plans to shift such hazardous factories to another location to avoid such disasters in future, according to IANS. 

“We will give them an opportunity to start such industries where there will be no accidents," he added.

Talking about the factory explosion incident, Shinde said the blast occurred due to hydrogen peroxide chemical, and it was triggered due to a rise in the temperature inside the reactor (boiler).

Dombivli Explosion 

According to The Times Of India, CM had visited the tragedy site on Thursday, he said he would take the strictest action against those who were found guilty. 

The incident took place at Amber Chemical Company in the Dombivli Industrial area. Witnesses reported massive plumes of smoke billowing from the site, with the explosion's noise being hard up to 3 km away, Hindustan Times reported. Factory workers quickly rushed to the spot. However, the fire spread to adjacent factories, necessitating a broader evacuation of the area. 

As per an IANS report, there were triple explosions at quick intervals which were so powerful that nearby homes shook, and windows and glass panes were shattered even as terrified locals and workers in adjoining industrial premises rushed out onto the streets. Moments later, a huge fire engulfed the factory complex, around 6 fire tenders, water tankers, and rescue teams rushed to the spot. Later, the district authorities deployed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) as well as the local Fire Brigade and Police to help with the rescue mission, also to ensure that the flames do not spread to the other industries in the area.