NGT takes suo motu cognisance of blast at drug factory in Telangana

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the incident of a blast at a drug manufacturing unit in Hatnoora Mandal, Medak District, Telangana resulting in death of 4 persons and injury to 21.

The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 04.04.2024.

As per the news item, the blast had taken place in a chemical reactor inside  a bulk drug manufacturing company. 

The news item also states that the officials have feared that the death toll is likely to go up. As per the news report, officials from the Fire Department have disclosed that the fire was chemical in nature and was triggered by the explosion.  

The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.

“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”

The news item does not disclose that any steps have been taken for payment of compensation to the deceased and injured persons as also the details relating to compliance of requisite environmental norms by the project proponent in question.   

Hence, the Principal Bench of  Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:

(1). Member Secretary, Telangana State Pollution Control Board. 

(2). District Magistrate, Medak. 

(3)……. Limited, Hatnoora Mandal, Medak District, Telangana through its Administrative Head.   

Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai , therefore , the Bench transferred the matter to the  Southern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 14.05.2024.