Pharma Firm Ignored Safety Gaps Before Deadly Blast, Paid Rs 32 Cr To Victims, Parliament Informed

However, the inspections that followed the incident uncovered critical shortcomings. The Minister stated, “The inspections highlighted the following shortcomings in implementation of recommendations of earlier Safety Audits/HAZOP studies: (i) Lack of adequate condition monitoring of plant and equipment, (ii) Inadequate risk assessments, (iii) Inadequate standard operating procedures, (iv) Inadequate emergency response plan, (v) Ventilation systems improvement, (vi) Inadequate fire safety systems.”

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) further noted that the unit is governed by the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989, and clarified:

“Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units are required to prepare the Safety Audit Reports and Onsite Emergency Plans and submit to the authorities concerned. The responsibility of preparing Off-site Emergency Plan lies with the concerned authorities.”

The Andhra Pradesh Government also cited compliance obligations under Rule 97 of the Andhra Pradesh Factories Rules, 1950, and detailed equipment and process safety norms under Rules 61-I, 61-O, etc., all applicable to pharmaceutical factories.

As of now, the official reply does not disclose the status of any ongoing investigation or enforcement action against the company following the explosion.