Surat Textile Mills Under Fire: Activist Demands Stringent Action Following Tragedies

Surat | Gujarat — In a forceful move to confront a growing crisis, citizen activist Darshan Nayak has issued a searing demand for the Gujarat government to take stringent action against textile dyeing and printing mills in Surat. Citing a recent drum washer explosion that left 25 workers burned and two dead in Palsana, Nayak’s appeal highlights a pattern of neglect and repeated violations of safety, construction, and environmental regulations.

“How many more lives must be lost before the authorities take these violations seriously?” Nayak stated in his presentation to officials, a copy of which was shared with the media. “These are not isolated incidents. They are a direct result of factories operating in flagrant disregard of the law, putting innocent workers and the public at grave risk.”

Nayak’s presentation details a litany of offenses, painting a grim picture of the conditions in industrial areas like Pandesara, Sachin, and Udhna. He pointed to a previous tragedy on November 14, 2023, where four workers died from suffocation while cleaning a tank at Kiran Industries, underscoring a horrifying trend of preventable deaths.

The activist’s list of demands is comprehensive, targeting the very foundation of the mills’ operations. He alleges widespread violations of construction rules, including illegal structures that lack proper ventilation and emergency exits. “In some cases, the construction is so haphazard that even the fire department cannot access the site in an emergency,” he said.

Furthermore, Nayak claims that fire safety rules are routinely ignored, with many units lacking basic equipment like fire alarms and sprinkler systems. He stressed the danger this poses, especially given the highly flammable materials used in the dyeing and printing processes. The safety of the workers themselves is a key concern, with reports of factories failing to provide essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and proper ventilation, exposing employees to toxic chemicals and harmful gases.

Environmental destruction is another major charge. Nayak asserts that mills are discharging untreated chemical waste and toxic water directly into the Tapi river and local drainage systems, a clear violation of the Water and Air Pollution Acts. “The lack of proper effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and air pollution control devices is causing serious damage to our environment and public health,” he stated.

Nayak’s demands include an immediate, comprehensive inspection of all such mills, followed by strict action, including sealing units that are found in violation. He also called for mandatory health and safety training for workers and the immediate payment of assistance to the victims of the recent Palsana tragedy.

The appeal comes at a time when the Gujarat government is actively promoting the state as a prime investment destination. However, critics argue that this growth must not come at the expense of worker safety and environmental integrity.