Telangana's industrial tragedy: A call for structural safety reforms

Telangana has been grappling with its worst industrial safety crisis in years, with devastating consequences for workers and their families. The death toll from Monday’s explosion at Sigachi Industries’ dryer unit in Sangareddy has risen to 36, making it one of the worst industrial disasters in recent memory. Seventeen people remain missing, and the death toll is expected to rise.

Over the past decade, rough estimates indicate that at least 300 people have lost their lives in various industrial incidents across the state. The human cost has been particularly severe for migrant labourers from northern and eastern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, who comprise the majority of victims. They choose Telangana and Hyderabad to eke out a living but many of them end up working under risky conditions. This tragic pattern exposes the glaring inadequacy of current safety measures and regulatory oversight, as these incidents continue to occur despite previous tragedies serving as stark warnings.

The statistics paint a sobering picture of industrial negligence. Over the past two years alone, 125 accidents across six major industrial areas on the outskirts of Hyderabad have claimed 133 lives and left over 350 people seriously injured. These incidents have predominantly occurred in high-risk pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, where the margin for error is minimal and the consequences of safety lapses are catastrophic. The victims are overwhelmingly young, economically disadvantaged migrant workers who often lack adequate social support systems or advocacy networks to demand better working conditions.

Multiple factors have converged to create this dangerous environment. Workers and industry experts consistently point to outdated equipment and inadequate maintenance protocols as primary contributing factors. Many industrial units continue operating with machinery that should have been replaced years ago, while proper maintenance schedules are frequently ignored to reduce costs.

The regulatory framework has proven insufficient, with allegations of negligence by management and inadequate inspection protocols by oversight bodies. Regular safety audits and enforcement mechanisms appear to be either absent or ineffectively implemented, creating an environment where corners can be cut without immediate consequences.

Perhaps most concerning is the weak safety culture that has taken root within some industrial units. Operators and managers often lack adequate training or awareness of the risks inherent in their operations. This knowledge gap is compounded by insufficient hazard analysis.

The impact extends far beyond the immediate loss of life and injuries. These industrial mishaps cause extensive damage to infrastructure and pose significant environmental risks through explosions, fires, and chemical releases. The cumulative effect has damaged Telangana’s reputation as an industrial hub, potentially affecting future investment and trade relationships.

Addressing this crisis requires comprehensive reform across multiple fronts. Enforcement of existing safety regulations must be strengthened through more frequent and thorough inspections conducted by properly trained officials. Industrial units need substantial upgrades to their safety infrastructure, including modern equipment and enhanced emergency response capabilities.

Creating a proactive safety culture is equally important. This requires extensive training and awareness programmes for both workers and managers, ensuring that safety considerations are integrated into every aspect of operations rather than treated as an afterthought.

The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for families affected in the June 30 explosion, and efforts must be made to ensure this compensation reaches those who need it most. However, financial support, while necessary, cannot substitute for the fundamental changes needed to prevent future tragedies.

The timeline for implementing these changes remains unclear, but the urgency cannot be overstated. State agencies must rise to this challenge before more lives are lost, transforming Telangana’s industrial landscape from one marked by tragedy to one defined by safety and responsibility.

As families of the victims struggle to come to terms with their grief, serious safety lapses on behalf of Sigachi Industries management continue to unfold. A senior official from a Telangana government regulatory body told DH that Sigachi had neither basic blast preventive measures nor proper evacuation mechanisms in place. Interactions with several injured staff members revealed they had previously raised concerns about the use of outdated machinery, highlighting warnings that went unheeded.

The preliminary investigation has uncovered alarming deficiencies in the facility’s safety infrastructure. The company lacked essential safety equipment, including fire alarms, heat detection systems, and automatic shutdown mechanisms, all critical components for preventing and containing industrial accidents of this magnitude. Police have registered an FIR against Sigachi Industries management under sections 105, 110, and 117 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), indicating potential criminal liability for the incident.

DHNS