In a significant move aimed at preventing future tragedies, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to critically review and update mechanisms to curb illegal commercial activities involving hazardous substances. This directive comes in the wake of a catastrophic fire and explosion at an illegal firecracker warehouse in Gunnaur township, Sambhal district, which resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to several others in June 2023.
During a hearing, the NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, emphasized the urgent need for stricter oversight and effective regulatory measures. The bench, which also includes Justices Sudhir Agarwal and Arun Kumar Tyagi, along with expert member Afroz Ahmad, ordered a comprehensive review of the existing systems. “The Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh is directed to hold a meeting with all concerned stakeholders to deliberate on necessary updates to the current mechanisms,” stated Justice Shrivastava in the order dated April 22.
The tribunal has further instructed the Chief Secretary to issue directives for implementing “appropriate remedial measures” aimed at avoiding such incidents in the future and ensuring periodic oversight and compliance with environmental norms. Moreover, the NGT underscored the state’s legal obligation to compensate victims and their families adequately.
According to the tribunal’s mandate, the state and its instrumentalities must provide a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each death to the legal heirs or dependents of the deceased. Additionally, compensation must also be extended to the injured and owners of neighboring properties damaged by the incident.
“The legal heirs/dependents of the deceased, the injured, and owners of the neighbouring houses damaged cannot be made to suffer due to non-availability of sufficient funds in the district administration as submitted by the District Magistrate, Sambhal,” the order added.
