Telangana pharmaceutical industries logged 97 major fire accidents in past decade: Fire Services Director-General Y. Nagi Reddy
The Hindu
Telangana's pharmaceutical industry faces challenges with rising accidents, emphasizing the need for fire safety and technology solutions.
The rise of Telangana as a pharma hub over the past few years has seen a challenge with a rise in number of accidents in the facilities. Telangana recorded 97 major fire accidents in pharmaceutical industries over the past 10 years resulting in a loss of about ₹93 crore worth of property, Director General of Fire Services Y. Nagi Reddy said on Thursday (November 07).
Speaking at the inaugural session of the National Seminar on Fire, Electrical Security and Automation (FEMA) for pharma industries, the official stressed that handling fire in a pharmaceutical industry is challenging due to the different kinds of gases and chemicals used there. “Pharmaceutical industries pose additional hazards compared to other industries, especially from the use and transfer of solvents. Fires and explosions in solvents or dust are common hazards in this industry and regular fire safety audit is a must,” Mr. Nagi Reddy explained.
He advised the pharmaceutical companies to use technology for 24×7 remote monitoring and maintenance.
The two-day seminar organised by the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI) began at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) on Thursday. The event comes in the backdrop of increasing number of fire accidents in pharma industries in Hyderabad and elsewhere.
Special Chief Secretary (Industries) Jayesh Ranjan said accidents of any kind derail an industry. “Many pharma companies are under the watch list of European regulators for non-compliance of ESG guidelines. If this does not change, they will stop importing pharmaceutical products from India,” he cautioned.
Noting the the issue of talent scarcity in pharma companies, he noted that Young India Skill University would provide courses on fire safety in association with FSAI.
“In the past, the Telangana government announced 20,000-acre pharma city but the new government would like to decentralise and set up pharma villages, in some 10 clusters,” he added.
27,277 nominations filed for 4,158 sarpanch posts under third phase
Rights organizations demand transparency from the Andhra Pradesh government regarding the confidential MoU with Google for a data center.
Parents and students protest in Varuna against the closure of local government schools amidst government merger plans.
Scholar emphasises that without social and economic equality, political democracy becomes meaningless and vulnerable to authoritarianism.
Eight arrested in Hyderabad with 16 kg of ganja and illegal liquor during coordinated raids by the Telangana Excise Department.
Kerala women, facing rising crime and misrule, are poised to voice their concerns through the ballot, says Jebi Mather.
Minister Kandula Durgesh announces efforts to establish the National School of Drama in Andhra Pradesh to enhance cultural institutions.
G.K. Mani reports S. Ramadoss filed a complaint against Anbumani for allegedly submitting fake documents to the Election Commission.
AIDSO leads protests against Karnataka's proposed school closures.
Mettur dam's water level is at 116.07 feet, with inflow at 4,270 cusecs and discharge at 999 cusecs.
Over 7.62 crore enumeration forms digitised in West Bengal, achieving 99.43% completion ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.
CPI(M) to host 'Janadani' rally in Bengaluru on December 21, expecting over 30,000 participants advocating for alternative politics.
APCC chief Sharmila criticizes Andhra MPs for neglecting key state issues and unfulfilled bifurcation promises in Parliament.