Rajasthan asked to detail steps to control oil fire

JAIPUR - The Rajasthan High Court Tuesday asked the state government to detail what steps it was taking to control the fire that has been raging in the Indian Oil Corp (IOC) depot near here since Oct 29.

Responding to a public interest litigation, a division bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and Justice Manish Bhandari asked the state government to furnish a reply in the form of an affidavit by Nov 9.

The fire at the depot in Sitapura, about 20 km from here, broke out last week Thursday, killing 11 people and injuring over 150. It seems to be abating now, with only two-three of the 11 tanks ablaze on the sixth day.

The court also directed the government to provide details of oil depots situated near residential and industrial areas and what safety and security steps have been taken.

The petition, filed by advocate S.K. Singh, also asked the government for details of its relief package to the industrial units as well as people living in the vicinity of the depot.

A private company has also filed a police complaint against the IOC and charged it with criminal negligence.

“The FIR (first information report) was filed Monday by Pratipal Singh, an employee of Genus Power Infrastructure Limited, a factory that is situated near the IOC depot,” a police officer told IANS Tuesday.

“We have lodged a case under Section 304 A, which relates to causing death by negligence, and other appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code,” he added.

According to the management at Genus, the factory has suffered massive damages because of the oil depot fire.

“There were three casualties in our factory and 15 others were injured. It is difficult for us to assess the damage to the industrial unit as of now. We would only be able to do it once the fire is controlled in the depot,” an official of the factory said.

The district administration has decided to shut educational institutions in Sitapura for the next eight days. The decision was taken as some of the buildings at the institutes were damaged.

A union petroleum ministry team has already visited the site and started its probe into the fire. The team is to submit its report in 60 days.

IOC officials say it will take over a year to rebuild the depot which has been completely damaged.

People living close to the depot have been complaining of breathing difficulties and itching in the eyes. “Since Friday night I have been having problems in breathing. I complained to my doctor and he told me it is because of the smoke in the air,” said Adesh Kumar, who lives in a colony close to the depot.