Nagpur: A deadly explosion at Solar Group’s Chakdoh-Bazargaon unit, which killed a supervisor and a labourer, has once again underscored the alarming frequency of industrial mishaps in Nagpur district’s explosive manufacturing sector. Despite repeated accidents, authorities have failed to enforce stringent safety norms, allowing negligence to persist.
Over the last two years, at least 35 workers have died and more than 40 have been injured in a series of blasts at explosive and chemical units across Hingna, MIDC, Dhamna, Kotwalbardi, and Umred. Nagpur, which is home to more than 50 companies manufacturing explosives, gunpowder, and related materials, continues to witness glaring lapses in worker safety.
Series of Deadly Blasts
• February 2025: Explosion at Asian Fireworks, Kotwalbardi, killed two and left three injured.
• April 2025: Seven killed, seven critically injured in MMP Industries blast at Umred.
• June 13, 2024: Nine workers, including women, died in Chamundi Explosives blast at Dhamna, where gunpowder used in firecracker fuses ignited.
• December 17, 2023: Solar Explosives’ Bazargaon unit witnessed another tragedy, with nine fatalities, including six women.
• August 12, 2023: Two workers killed at Economic Explosives.
• April 24, 2023: Four killed and three injured at Kataria Agro Company.
These incidents, combined with several other smaller mishaps, highlight a pattern of neglect and repeated violations of industrial safety regulations.
Families Allege Negligence:
Bereaved families have accused companies like Solar Explosives, Chamundi Explosives, Asian Fireworks, and MMP Industries of failing to ensure basic safety measures. According to them, workers are rarely provided with protective gear or proper training, even while handling hazardous substances. Companies, they allege, display compliance only after major accidents, leaving employees exposed to fatal risks.
Enforcement Lapses:
Authorities too have come under fire for allegedly acting only in the aftermath of such disasters. Despite recurring blasts and mounting casualties, there has been no consistent crackdown or accountability from regulatory bodies. Safety experts stress the urgent need for regular inspections, strict audits, and penalties for lapses to prevent more tragedies.
With workers continuing to lose their lives in preventable accidents, questions are being raised over when decisive action will finally be taken against erring firms—before yet another blast claims more innocent lives.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com