Chennai: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) southern zone has directed the Virudhunagar district collector and departments concerned to immediately shut down fireworks manufacturing units that refuse inspection by authorities.The tribunal, responding to multiple suo motu cases based on a series of fatal explosions at cracker units in Virudhunagar district, said that where any unit refuses inspection, “it would be appropriate for the authorities to order closure of such units, considering the gravity of the issue.”The NGT order follows status reports filed by the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), and the Virudhunagar district collector, indicating widespread non-compliance during an earlier inspection drive. The tribunal also took note of a news report that more than 200 units were closed during inspections conducted as part of compliance with earlier NGT orders.The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) also informed the tribunal that six units were closed for violations while eight units were found shut during visits and have been issued show-cause notices.Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Satyagopal Korlapati directed that the ongoing special inspection drive should include action against both violators and units obstructing inspections. Fully compliant units should be advised to maintain adherence to safety and environmental norms, the tribunal said.In addition, the tribunal impleaded the additional chief secretary to the labour welfare and skill development department and the general secretary of The Indian Fireworks Manufacturing Association (TIFMA) as parties to ensure wider accountability. The tribunal has asked for a status report on this fresh drive before the next hearing scheduled for July 29.In the past five years, Tamil Nadu recorded 74 fire accidents in firecracker units, with 43 of them occurring in Virudhunagar district alone. These incidents claimed 241 lives and left 199 people injured.
