A major disaster was averted at the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) plant in Mumbai’s Chembur area on Wednesday when a massive fire caused an explosion, leaving 45 workers injured. Such was the impact of the blast that locals in the area experienced an earthquake-like situation. Though the reasons for the blast are yet to be ascertained – a gas leak can be one of the causes – the government needs to realise that a refinery surrounded by human settlements can spell disaster for the neighbourhood. Had the situation spun out of control, the death toll would have been unthinkable. Let’s say that the injured workers had a close shave with death – the blast had caused tremendous heat and pressure at the site. 

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There have been several complaints against the refinery from locals who accuse the plant of environmental pollution. A thorough probe needs to be carried out to ascertain if the plant strictly adheres to pollution norms. Equally important is whether the safety protocols in the refinery are implemented in letter and spirit. Any violation must be dealt with strictly because laxities in hazardous industries carry devastating consequences. The agitations with regard to mining giant Vedanta’s Sterlite copper plant in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi are still fresh in people’s minds. Thirteen lives were lost to police firing when protestors turned violent while demanding the closure of the plant that has been blamed for air and water pollution. 

BPCL needs to act responsibly because human lives are at stake. Oil companies have had a sterling safety record so far, and a blast in a refinery is still a rare occurrence. But now that BPCL has experienced one, other plants should beef up preventive measures.