Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati on Monday ordered a probe into the incident of ammonia leak at Malpe Fresh Marine Export Pvt. Ltd. at Devalkunda village in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district.
“ Prima facie , it appears that there has been negligence on the part of the factory management. I have ordered an inquiry into the incident by a committee headed by the Assistant Commissioner,” Ms. Korlapati said.
The committee, headed by Assistant Commissioner S.S. Madhukeshwar, comprises the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kundapur Sub Division, Joint Director of Industries, District Health and Family Officer and Pollution Control Board Officer.
The probe will look into various aspects, including whether the factory was being run as per norms, what measures had been taken by it for the safety of workers and whether the factory workers had been trained.
Since there were about 350 factory workers staying on the factory premises, their condition and activities too would come under the scope of the probe. The committee would conduct the probe and submit its report to the district administration, Ms. Korlapati said.
The factory was established in Devalkunda village in August 2017, amid opposition from villagers.
