Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Friday that companies handling hazardous chemicals have been mandated to relocate their units away from residential areas. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic chemical factory explosion in Thane's Dombivli, which resulted in the deaths of at least nine people and injured more than 60 others.
Industry associations have voiced their concerns about the government's directive, accusing the authorities of neglecting encroachments into designated buffer zones.Â
Chief Minister Shinde, in a statement on Thursday, suggested that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) should move hazardous chemical companies to lands already purchased in Ambernath. Alternatively, he proposed changing the land use from chemical to industries such as IT, engineering, or textiles. "We will provide them the opportunity to start such industries where accidents will not occur," he stated.
Deven Soni, Chairman of the Kalyan Ambernath Manufacturers Association (KAMA), expressed disappointment with the Chief Minister's statement. He argued that it is unfair to demand industries leave Dombivli MIDC, which has been operational since 1960. He pointed out that there was originally a buffer zone of 1 to 1.5 kilometers between the MIDC and residential areas, but this buffer has been encroached upon by residential buildings. "These residential buildings were granted permission by authorities. Why didn't they consider maintaining the buffer zone?" Soni questioned.
The explosion at the Amudan Chemicals factory in Phase 2 of Dombivli MIDC occurred on Thursday afternoon. The blast not only killed and injured many but also caused extensive damage to nearby factories and houses.
Satyam Garebe, a businessman in the area, shared his plight, stating that he had taken a loan to start his company, which is now completely destroyed. "We have a loan of Rs 2 crore. My factory has been completely damaged. These chemical factories must relocate, or we will have to move," he said.
Several individuals are still missing following the blast. Vishal Sunil Poudwal, the owner of a company adjacent to the blast site, remains untraceable. A person close to him mentioned that Poudwal was inside his cabin at the time of the explosion and could not escape. His family is currently trying to identify him.
Satyanarayan Rajbhar, a laborer at another factory for the past ten years, is also missing. His brother, Hridaynarayan Rajbhar, mentioned that they are awaiting a DNA test to confirm the identity of a charred body recovered from the blast site.
