Ludhiana: The gas tragedy reported on RK Road that claimed three lives on Monday clearly indicates the lack of checks on the factories when it comes to managing and disposing off the effluent waste. The respective unit was getting the effluent tank cleaned illegally and without proper safety gears, which also indicates that such practice is quite common in many industrial units. However, the administration claims that regular checks are being kept on the units. .Effluent in the factories, liquid or soild, are to be lifted by two designed firms that dispose off the effluent after treating it. However, this incident shows the reality that the factories are getting effluent tanks cleaned illegally.Speaking to TOI, Ludhiana deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain said, “The administration regularly conducts industrial safety meetings. As far as the physical checking of factories is concerned, the deputy director (factories), industries department and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) do the exercise on a random basis.”When questioned if any action was taken on those violating the norms under this process, Jain said, “Yes, the PPCB has issued several show cause notices recently to the violators.”Besides, on Tuesday some officials visited the spot and the Moti Nagar police had recorded the statements of more workers present in the factory when the incident occurred.The police has also got the autopsy of the father- son duo – Maan Singh and Amit, conducted at the Ludhiana civil hospital. The autopsy which ascertained that the victims had died of asphyxiation. The autopsy of the third victim Shri Ram could not be conducted as his family has yet to reach Ludhiana from Rai Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.Assistant commissioner of police (Industrial Area-A) Inderjit Singh Boparai said after the autopsy the bodies of Maan Singh and Amit were handed over to the family. The police are waiting for Shri Ram’s family to reach Ludhiana for recording their statements and for the autopsy consent.When asked if any arrest had been made in the incident yet, the ACP confirmed that no arrest has been made. He added that the police were recording the statements of the factory workers for further probe.Despite several attempts, PPCB chief engineer RK Ratra could not be contacted for his statement.In the wee hours of Monday, Mann Singh and his son were called by the factory officials for allegedly cleaning its effluent tank when the duo and three others Shri Ram, Deepak and Rajinder inhaled the toxic gas and collapsed. They were rushed to the hospital where Maan Singh, Amit and Shri Ram were declared dead.
