Rajasthan’s industrial heartland was rattled by a catastrophic blast at Meherun chemical plant in Kapasan’s Rico zone, Chittorgarh district. The February 10 incident produced a boom audible 5 km away, evoking memories of past industrial horrors.
Dense smoke columns rose as fire consumed parts of the facility, with chemical odors assaulting the senses of nearby dwellers. Confusion and fear reigned until emergency protocols kicked in.
Nagar President Raj Vijayvargiya and Vyavastha Baregama led the initial mobilization of fire and ambulance services. Concurrently, MLA Arjun Lal Jingar notified authorities, paving the way for escalated response.
At the forefront stood District Collector Alok Ranjan, accompanied by SP Manish Tripathi, SDO Rajesh Suwalaka, DYSP Harji Lal Yadav, SHO Sunil Sharma, and police forces. Reinforcements including Chittorgarh fire units turned the tide against the firestorm.
Control was established post exhaustive firefighting, with no reported deaths providing some solace. Administrative oversight persists, coupled with public alerts on chemical safety.
Collector Ranjan detailed the seamless official convergence and investigative probes into causation, extending to neighboring operations. The episode amplifies calls for robust safety frameworks.
Reflecting broader concerns, this blast highlights vulnerabilities in chemical sectors. Comprehensive reforms, from equipment checks to emergency preparedness, are crucial for protecting workers and communities.