Prayagraj: The 11-member committee, headed by ADM (finance), probing the cold storage collapse incident in Phaphamau, inspected the site on the second consecutive day on Wednesday and compiled documents.The committee members, including officials from administration, fire department, PWD and police also talked to labourers related to the incident and are likely to submit the report next week. Officials claimed that both the ammonia chambers of the cold storage facility were neutralised on Wednesday while the two remaining chambers are currently being inspected. Efforts are also underway to retrieve the potatoes belonging to farmers stored inside the chambers. A total of seven JCBs, two excavators and nine dumpers have been deployed for the removal of debris. Investigations revealed that neither maintenance of the facility was done and nor were any safety measures adopted. The labourers were not imparted required training and were there without technicians showing a clear violation of the standards. A senior official told TOI that the preliminary report was already sent to the administration and it is expected that the committee would submit the report to the administration next week. The district horticulture officer was suspended after the verification report confirmed his laxity, he said. Meanwhile, a BSP panel on the directives of the party chief Mayawati, visited the facility in Phaphamau on Wednesday to assess the situation.
