Representational image. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Fearing stringent action for possible violation of safety norms during the official inspection being held as directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), over 200 fireworks manufacturing units in Virudhunagar district remained closed on Monday (July 14, 2025).
According to police sources, around 250 units in the taluks of Sivakasi, Sattur and Vembakottai were not opened for routine production of fireworks on Monday.
Earlier on July 8, taking suo moto cognizance of media reports on frequent accidents in firecracker units that lead to loss of lives, the Southern Bench of the NGT directed the Virudhunagar District Collector and Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to form inspection teams to check whether all the fireworks units had the required licences from various authorities.
The teams have been mandated to check the strict compliance of conditions imposed in the licences and the recommended safety measures besides the conduct of regular inspections of the units by authorities.
“If any of the units are found to be in violation, the authorities are directed to take action, including closure,” the NGT order said, granting 10 days time for completion of the inspection. The next hearing is on July 22.
A senior official said the Virudhunagar District Collector had recently formed several teams comprising officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the departments of Revenue, Police and Fire and Rescue. “It looks like the owners of the factories had left them locked without commencing the work to avoid the authorities inspecting their units,” the official added.
Published – July 14, 2025 02:56 pm IST
