July 25, 2001
'33'
FIRE IN ORDNANCE DEPOTS
There were six incidents of fire in Army Ordnance Depots in the last three years. Amongst these was the fire incident in Bharatpur ammunition depot that took place on 28.04.2000. In this incident, loss has been estimated at Rs 393 crore. The likely cause was due to short circuit/sparking on Pole no 4 near Guard Post no.11. It has however, not been possible to confirm this through specific direct evidence. Administrative action has however, been initiated against the default of neglect.
Another fire incident took place in 2 ammunition sub depot, 18 field ammunition depot, Pathankot on 29th April 2001. In the absence of sufficient proof the Court of Inquiry has not been made able to conclusively establish the cause. A probable cause could be carelessness in regard to use of cigarette/match stick. The Court of inquiry has also not ruled out sabotage.
As regards payment of compensation to civilians affected in this particular accident, the Ministry of Defence have ordered the payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the two persons who died in the fire accident and Rs 1 lakh to be paid as compensation to the seven injured persons.
Certain steps have been taken to prevent occurrence of such fires in future. All depots have been directed to update safety and security instructions and they have been inspected by a Board of Officers to check for adequacy of safety and security arrangements.
Shortage in fire fighting equipments are being made up; defective equipment repaired and unserviceable ammunition is being disposed off on priority basis. Allotment of additional funds for creation of more storage accommodation and for shifting of ammunition presently stored on open plinths under canvas to explosive storehouses is being made.
This was stated by the Defence Minister Shri Jaswant Singh in reply to Shri Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Shri C. Sreenivasan in Lok Sabha today.