metro india news  I sangareddy

A catastrophic fire at Sigachi Industries Private Limited in Pashamylaram has claimed the lives of 45 workers, with fears that the death toll could climb as high as 100. The blaze, which tore through the factory on Monday, has exposed glaring lapses in industrial safety, regulatory oversight, and corporate accountability in Telangana. The state government must act swiftly and decisively to investigate this tragedy, hold those responsible accountable, and implement stringent measures to prevent such disasters in the future.

The fire, described as one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the region’s history, occurred at a facility employing approximately 150 workers. As of now, only 86 individuals have been identified, with the rest either missing or among the injured receiving treatment in hospitals. Compounding the tragedy, critical records detailing the workforce were reportedly destroyed in the fire, as many workers were employed through three private contractors whose documentation is now lost.

Preliminary reports point to a grave lapse by Sigachi Industries’ management. Sources indicate the disaster may have been triggered by a change in the product being manufactured or a modification in the production process—alterations that were not reported to the relevant authorities. Such changes, if true, would have required rigorous safety assessments and approvals, which the management allegedly bypassed to avoid financial costs and bureaucratic delays.

Speculation centers on the introduction of a volatile recoloring agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, in a spray dryer, which may have ignited the deadly explosion. Notably, the factory had operated without a fire mishap for 35 years, making this failure all the more egregious.

This tragedy is a damning indictment of the systemic negligence plaguing Telangana’s industrial sector. The state government, along with the Industries Department, Pollution Control Board, Inspector of Factories, and other regulatory bodies, must shoulder responsibility for their failure to enforce safety norms. Allegations are rife that numerous factories and plants in and around Hyderabad operate without proper checks, flouting regulations with impunity. The Sigachi Industries disaster is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a broader culture of lax oversight and complicity that allows profit-driven managements to gamble with workers’ lives.

Treat this as a wakeup call

The Telangana government must treat this catastrophe as a wake-up call. An immediate, high-level inquiry is non-negotiable to ascertain the exact number of deaths, identify all workers at the facility, and determine the condition of the injured. The three contractors who supplied labour must be summoned and their records scrutinized to ensure every worker is accounted for. The inquiry must also probe the management’s failure to report changes in production processes and hold them accountable for any violations of safety protocols. If found guilty, the company’s leadership must face severe legal consequences, including criminal charges for negligence leading to loss of life.

Beyond Sigachi Industries, the government must launch a comprehensive audit of all factories and plants operating in Telangana. The Industries Department and Pollution Control Board must enforce mandatory safety inspections, ensuring compliance with fire safety, hazardous material handling, and worker welfare regulations. Erring managements must face heavy fines, license revocations, or outright closure to deter future violations. Equally critical is holding government officials accountable. Officers tasked with monitoring industrial compliance who have turned a blind eye to violations must face disciplinary action, including suspensions or terminations, to restore public trust in regulatory institutions.

The human cost of this tragedy cannot be overstated. Their families deserve answers, justice, and adequate compensation. The government must ensure that survivors and the families of the deceased receive immediate financial and medical support, while also addressing the long-term rehabilitation needs of those affected.

Telangana stands at a crossroads. The Sigachi Industries fire is a stark reminder that unchecked industrial practices and regulatory failures come at an unforgivable cost. The state government must act with urgency and resolve, not only to deliver justice for the victims but also to overhaul a broken system that has allowed such tragedies to occur. Failure to do so will only invite more disasters, staining Telangana’s industrial landscape with the blood of its workers. The time for half-measures and excuses is over—decisive action is the only path forward.