Surat GPCB officer faces backlash for defending Aether Industries after fatal blast

Surat: Dr. Jignasa Oza, Regional Officer of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Surat  has come under the fire for acting as the public relation officer (PRO) of Aether Industries Limited after the charred remains of seven missing workers were recovered from the debris after the massive explosion in the company’s chemical storage tank.

Dr. Oza, while talking to media persons on Thursday, said, “It is an accident and there is no fault of the company. We sometimes fall while walking. The company management was upset after the massive explosion and they could not gather information on the missing workers.”

Her statement sparked outrage among the relatives of the deceased workers, who accused her of being biased and insensitive. They demanded a fair and impartial probe into the incident and strict action against the company for negligence and violation of safety norms.

A massive fire broke out at a chemical storage tank at Aether Industries in Sachin GIDC on early Wednesday morning. The fire was brought under control after 24 hours. Later, after searching inside, the decomposed skeletons of seven workers were found, causing an uproar.

The company, which manufactures specialty chemicals and intermediates, has been sealed by the GPCB and the police. The police have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating the cause of the blast.

Dr. Oza said, “This accident is not a planned event. Prima facie the company does not seem to be at fault. If you check inside the company, the safety equipment and safety policy are up to the mark, due to which the damage has been reduced.”

According to Dr. Oza, investigation has been started from early morning of Wednesday. Meanwhile, seven charred bodies of workers have been recovered. Technically, the team has reached after the fire broke out, but the cause is not known. But looking at the way the scenario has been created, a vapor cloud was formed due to the solvent storage inside the tank farm. This vapor cloud is likely to have come in contact with an electric spark causing the blast.

She said that the GPCB will conduct a detailed analysis of the air, water and soil samples collected from the site and nearby areas to assess the environmental impact of the incident. She also said that the GPCB will take appropriate action against the company if any violations are found.

Meanwhile, the environmental activists have demanded that the government should conduct a high-level inquiry into the incident and provide adequate compensation and justice to the families of the deceased workers. They also demanded that the company should be held accountable for the loss of life and property and the environmental damage caused by the blast.

MHS Shaikh, president of Brackish Water Research Centre (BWRC) said, “A detailed inquiry should be ordered by the Gujarat Government on Aether Industries limited. Seven people have died and many are critical. Aether Industries is the BSE listed company and it should have followed all the safety  protocols”