MODERNISATION OF ORDNANCE DEPOTS
Rajya Sabha
Government of
India have decided to modernize all the seven Central Ordnance
Depots located at Agra, Mumbai, Chheoki, Delhi Cantonment, Dehu
Road, Jabalpur and Kanpur in a phased manner. However, to begin
with modernization of Central Ordnance Depot, Kanpur involving
an expenditure of Rs. 187 crores approximately has been taken
up. This project would be completed by December 2003.
Four incidents
of fire have been reported in Ordnance/Ammunition Depots during
2001-2002. On April 29, 2001 the fire/blast in 2 Ammunition Sub
Depot, Memoon, (18 Field Ammunition Depot) Pathankot amounted
to a loss of arms, equipment and property worth Rs 27.69 crores.
On May 24, 2001 the fire/blast in 2 Ammunition Sub Depot, Bridhwal
(24 Field Ammunition Depot), Ganganagar amounted to a loss of
arms, equipment and property worth Rs 375.04 Crores. One person
also died in this incident. On June 03, 2001 the fire/blast in
Ordnance Depot, Shakurbasti, New Delhi amounted to loss of arms,
equipment and property worth Rs. 2.87 Crores. The Court of Inquiry
is in progress regarding the blast in Central Ordnance Depot,
Jabalpur which took place on August 06, 2001.
The
following steps/remedial measures have been taken to ensure safety
and security of Ammunition/Ordnance Depots: - (a) all depots have
been directed to update safety and security instructions, (b)
all depots have been inspected by a Board of Officers to check
adequacy of safety and security arrangements, (c)
Shortages in fire fighting equipment are being made up and defective
equipment repaired, (d) unserviceable ammunition is being disposed
off on priority and allotment of additional fund has been made
for creation of more Explosive Store Houses for shifting ammunition
presently stored on plinths under canvas.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written
reply to Shri DP Yadav in Rajya Sabha today.
