Days after a humongous explosion shook Beirut, a similar chemical storage facility has been identified 40 kilometres north of Chennai, causing alarm. Over 700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate is said to be stored in a private facility.
These are reportedly in the custody of officials having been seized in 2015. They had been due to import policy restrictions and had apparently been imported for making fireworks in Sivakasi.
A statement issued by the Joint Commissioner of Customs said that the seized cargo is securely stored and that the safety of the cargo and public is ensured considering its hazardous nature.
It also noted that the there are no residential facilities for 2 kms from the Container Freight Station (CFS). It also added that steps are being taken to ensure its safe disposal and that an e-auction has already been completed for the same by the Customs.
“The disposal of the said cargo will be done within a short period following all safety measures.”, the statement said.
Statement from Customs dept says 740 MTS of imported Ammonium Nitrate is securely stored at a Container Freight Station in Manali and it will be disposed within a short period, following all safety measures. pic.twitter.com/ZZJiqQTY8N
— Shilpa Nair (@NairShilpa1308) August 6, 2020
PMK founder S Ramadoss on Thursday urged the government to take immediate steps to safely dispose of 740 tonnes of ammonium nitrate reportedly stocked in Chennai harbour for years, saying a possible Beirut-like incident should be avoided.
சென்னை துறைமுகத்தை ஒட்டிய கிடங்கு ஒன்றில் 740 டன் அமோனியம் நைட்ரேட் எனும் வெடிமருந்து 5 ஆண்டுகளாக இருப்பு வைக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதாக வெளியாகியுள்ள செய்தி மிகவும் அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது. லெபனான் நாட்டில் மிகப்பெரிய வெடிவிபத்து ஏற்பட்டதற்கு இந்த வெடிமருந்து தான் காரணமாகும்!#ChennaiHarbour
— Dr S RAMADOSS (@drramadoss) August 6, 2020
It raises alarm because 700 tonnes of this chemical has been stored for over five years, only 20 km north of Chennai port. This is the same chemical that caused massive destruction in Beirut.