Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today sought a report on the condition of the blast furnace number-1 of Bhushan Steel Limited after one person was killed and 19 others injured on November 13 in an explosion and fire at blast furnace number-2.
Labour minister Bijayshree Routray asked the Labour Commission to investigate the number of workers in the unit on the day.
“I have also asked the Directorate of Factories and Boilers to prepare a comprehensive report on the condition of blast furnace (I) of the company,” Routray told reporters. Blast furnace-II where the accident took place has been sealed, he said.
The Odisha State Pollution Control Board has decided to file a case against BSL for commissioning the second blast furnace without its prior consent.
The case would be filed for violation of section 25 of Water Pollution Control Act and section 21 of Air Pollution Act after getting due approval of OSPCB chairman. The BSL authorities have clearly violated norms,” OPCB member secretary Lalit Tiwary said.
Three top executive of the BSL including its chief operating officer have been arrested and sent to jail on charges of negligence in ensuring safety of the blast furnace while commissioning the system.
The district administration has formed a team comprising magistrate, police, officials of Pollution Control Board and Employee's State Insurance Corporation to examine the security measures taken by different companies in the district including Bhushan Steel.
“The team will submit a report to the government within two months after reviewing environmental norms and labour commission's guidelines,” District Collector Rupa Rooshan Sahoo said.
