Mumbai: Nearly two and a half years after a massive explosion at a chemicals factory in Dombivli claimed 12 lives and left over 100 injured, over 2,000 residents who sustained losses in terms of damage to property are yet to be compensated. The boiler blast at Probace Enterprises in the MIDC area on May 26, 2016, not only damaged doors, windows, furniture, and vehicles in nearby houses, but also shattered window panes of buildings several metres away.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after visiting the spot, had announced compensation for those who suffered losses. “Following the CM’s statement, a team from the Industrial Health and Safety department conducted a survey, taking down details of all those affected. According to the survey, 2,660 people had suffered losses amounting to ₹7.43 crore. However, we received no update about the compensation after that,” Raju Nalawade, a local, who has been following up on the issue, said.
After around a year, Mr. Nalawade sought information from the Industrial Health and Safety department under the Right To Information Act. He received a reply that a proposal had been sent by the Collector’s office to the State government to sanction the money from the Chief Minister’s relief fund.
“We decided to wait but when there was no word from any government agency for another year, we wondered what was wrong. I then wrote to the Collector’s office in April this year. The reply I received on April 27 said we are now supposed to file a claim with Probace Enterprises, as they have industrial insurance, and we will be compensated through it,” Mr. Nalawade said.
Ashwini Shivgan, a resident whose house sustained heavy damage, said if the CM had no intention to compensate the affected residents, why did he make such statements? “It has been over two years and we have not heard anything from the government. Our house was in such a bad condition that we could not live in it for two days.” All the doors and windows of Ms. Shivgan’s house were damaged in the impact of the explosion, and her television set and refrigerator, too, were damaged.
Pramila Pardeshi, another affected resident, said, “A lot of promises were made after the incident but very little action has been taken. We are not sure whether the compensation will ever come.” Residents have now written to the Chief Minister’s office seeking prompt action. In a letter dated August 20, they have said if the needful is not done soon, they will boycott the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
When contacted, the CM’s office told The Hindu that any decision on compensation will be taken as per the rules. “We will go through the details of the case and will ensure due compensation is given,” an official said.
When asked about providing compensation from the CM’s relief fund, the official said the important part is to give aid to the affected individuals, which shall be done.
