Kathmandu. Tensions between the industry administration and local residents have escalated again after the massive blast at the Jagdamba Steels factory at Simara in Bara on Wednesday night.
The political parties have demanded that the furnace of the industry located within the boundary of Parsa National Park be shifted to a safer place away from the human settlement. CpN-UML, Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party and LSP Nepal sub-metropolitan city chairmen have issued a joint statement demanding shifting of the furnace inside the industry. They have also demanded the industry administration not to operate the furnace until it is shifted elsewhere.
Mohan Sharma, president of Jitpur Simara Nagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that they have always been concerned about the health and safety of the employees working in the company and all those living in residential areas around the industry. He also drew the attention of the District Administration Office and the Department of Industry to the fact that it was not possible to operate the industry without addressing the concerns of the locals.
On Wednesday night, a massive explosion took place in a 30-ton furnace in the premises of the industry, terrorizing the surrounding human settlement and the nearby Parsa National Park. The explosion occurred in the underground furnace due to high temperature while melting kavadi in the furnace set up to melt kavadi iron inside the factory. According to the industry administration, one Indian worker was injured in the blast.
Due to the explosion, the tremors were felt far away in the settlements around the industry, which caused the general public to suspect that the earthquake may have occurred.
The locals complained that the industry located in the middle of the human settlement has not shown interest in operating keeping in mind the health and environment of the locals. Even political parties have said that the industry administration has not addressed the concerns of the locals despite repeated calls.
Although the political parties have issued a joint statement demanding shifting of the furnace, the industry management has issued a statement protesting against the local media for spreading rumors about the explosion. The industry management said an investigation into the blast was underway.
