National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled Maharashtra Ordnance ... vs Directorate Of Industrial Safety And ... on 5 January, 2026
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
WESTERN ZONE BENCH, PUNE
THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING (WITH HYBRID OPTION)
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ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ)
[Earlier Original Application No.56/2025(PB)]
IN THE MATTER OF:
IN RE: NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN THE TIMES OF INDIA
DATED 25.01.2025 TITLED "MAHARASHTRA ORDNANCE
UNIT BLAST BLOWS AWAY FACTORY ROOF, 8 KILLED"
VERSUS
1. Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health,
Maharashtra State Kamgar Bhawan,
5th Floor, C-20, E-Block, Opposite RBI,
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (E),
Mumbai - 400051.
2. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),
Through its Member Secretary,
Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar,
Delhi - 110 032.
3. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB),
Through its Member Secretary,
Kalpataru Point, 3rd and 4th Floor,
Opposite Cine Planet Cinema,
Near Sion Circle, Sion, Mumbai - 400 022.
4. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
Integrated Regional Office, Nagpur
Ground Floor, East Wing,
New Secretariat Building, Civil Lines,
Nagpur - 440 001.
5. Munitions India Limited,
Through its Chairman and Managing Director
Ammunition Factory Khadki,
Pune - 411 003, Maharashtra
6. Collector Office, Bhandara,
Government of Maharashtra,
Collectorate Bhandara, NH-6,
Trimurthy Square, Bhandara.
.....Respondents
ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 1 of 13
Counsel for the Respondents:
Mrs. Pallavi Gampawar, Dy. Director, Director of Industrial
Safety and Health, Bandra, Mumbai for R-1/DISH
Mr. Aniruddha S. Kulkarni, Advocate along-with
Mr. Savyasachi Bhardwaj, Advocate for R-2/CPCB
Ms. Manasi Joshi, Advocate along-with
Ms. Pooja Natu, Advocate for R-3/MPCB
Mr. Pushkal Mishra, Advocate for R-4/MoEF&CC
Mrs. Mugdha Chandurkar, Advocate for R-5
PRESENT:
Hon'ble Mr. Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh (Judicial Member)
Hon'ble Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee (Expert Member)
Reserved on : 25.11.2025
Pronounced on : 05.01.2026
JUDGMENT
1. The cognizance has been taken of this matter suo motu by the Principal Bench of this Tribunal on the basis of a news item titled "Maharashtra ordnance unit blast blows away factory roof 8 killed" which was published in The Times of India dated 25.01.2025.
2. The matter relates to a massive explosion at the ordnance factory Bhandara (OFBA) near Nagpur, Maharashtra, resulting in the death of eight workers and injuries caused to five others. As per the article, the blast occurred in the unit manufacturing Low Temperature Plastic Explosives (LTPE), where 13 workers, including two apprentices, were present at that time. The magnitude of explosion was so immense that it reduced the facility to rubble, trapping workers beneath the debris.
3. Vide order dated 03.02.2025, the Principal Bench of this Tribunal had directed impleadment of Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), Maharashtra State as Respondent No.1; Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as Respondent No.2; Maharashtra Pollution Control Board ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 2 of 13 (MPCB) as Respondent No.3; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) - Integrated Regional Office, Nagpur as Respondent No.4; Munitions India Limited, through its Chairman and Managing Director as Respondent No.5; Collector Office, Bhandara as Respondent No.6 (name of District Magistrate (DM), Nagpur- Respondent No.6 has been deleted vide order dated 04.04.2025 passed by this Tribunal) and thereafter, issued notices to the said Respondents for filing their responses/replies.
4. Pursuance to the above notices, Respondent No.1- DISH has filed reply affidavit dated 08.07.2025, wherein it is submitted that the Answering Respondent received an information about the explosion in the above-mentioned factory from the Collector's Office Bhandara, which occurred in the LTPE (Low Temperature Plastic Explosive) Section of Building No.PE-23 of the factory on 24.01.2025 at about 10.40 a.m. during the working hours, which resulted in fatal accident of 8 workers and serious injuries to 5 workers.
5. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.1 that the Deputy Director, Industrial Safety and Health, Bhandara, who is Inspector under Section 8 of the Factories Act, 1948, visited the site in question to carry out the enquiry about the explosion and observed that the Ordnance Factory Bhandara, which is an Unit of Munitions India Ltd., Jawahar Nagar, Bhandara Road, Bhandara, Dist. Bhandara, is involved in manufacturing of Explosives and Missile for Defence Ministry (High Quality Explosives- RDX, HMX, PETN and LTPE etc.) and that Explosion occurred in the LTPE (Low Temperature plastic Explosive) Section of building no.PE-23 of the factory.
ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 3 of 13
6. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.1 that in LTPE manufacturing building, total 13 workers (including 11 permanent workers and two trade apprentice) were working on the day of explosion. On that date, regular work was under progress in LTPE Section. Before starting of the extrusion process at 10.15 a.m., Charge-man on duty at that time faced difficulty of Die mouth blockage in extrusion machine. After opening of the Die mouth portion by the Maintenance Team, the Operator in the Panel Room tried number of times to start the discharge screw to push the solidified PD (Plasticized Dove) from the Die portion. Repeated start of the discharge screw and increasing RPM of the discharge screw more than specified 4-6 times have resulted into adiabatic compression and that resulted into source of ignition & generation of shock wave.
7. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.1 that at about 10.40 am, explosion occurred in extruder machine room, due to which complete LTPE manufacturing building PE-23 collapsed and all 13 workers got trapped under the debris. Within one hour, Fire brigade, ambulance, Police Department and other Government Officials reached the spot and rescue operation started. SDRF and NDRF teams were also called for rescue operation. As the explosive material was present under the debris, rescue teams find difficulties for removal of debris for rescue operation. Till the night, all trapped workers were rescued and admitted for further treatment to factory hospital at Bhandara, out of which total 8 workers died due to collapse of the building and 5 workers were seriously injured. All injured workers were given treatment in private hospitals in Bhandara and then shifted to Nagpur. Out of 5 injured workers, one worker died during the treatment on 28.02.2025 and remaining 4 workers got discharged from the hospital and they were taking rest at home. ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 4 of 13
8. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.1 that in this operation of LTPE manufacturing, SOPs were not followed and provisions were not made to prevent the solidification of P.D. material, so as to prevent the explosion due to adiabatic compression. It is also observed that two Trade Apprentice workers were present at the time of explosion in PE-23 building, who were not trained and were not supposed to be employed in this dangerous operation work. Therefore, on the day of explosion, the system of work adopted was not safe and was with risk to safety of the workers working in that area, hence the contravention of Section 7A(2)(a) of the Factories Act, 1948 was observed against the occupier. Show Cause Notice was also issued against the occupier. Thereafter, following remedial measures were suggested to the factory:-
i). A safe system of work must be in place. Work Permit system shall be followed for dangerous operations. SOPs (Safe Operating Procedure) shall be strictly followed.
ii). Regular trainings must be provided for the workers involved in the manufacturing of explosives.
iii). Untrained workers or trade apprentice workers shall not be allowed to work on dangerous operations.
iv). Re-audit shall be carried out within a period of 30 days from the date of explosion and report shall be submitted to office."
9. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.1 that the approval of the Central Government is required to initiate legal proceedings against Occupier in the Court. All the deceased and 4 injured workers were covered under the Workmen Compensation Act, 1923, details of which are given in para no.6 of this affidavit in tabular form.
10. A perusal of the above reply affidavit of Respondent No.1 would indicate that Respondent No.5- Munitions India Limited did not adopt safe practices, as it employed Trade Apprentice workers, who were not well ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 5 of 13 equipped to operate the dangerous operation. SOPs were not followed and provisions were not made to prevent the solidification of P.D. material, so as to prevent the explosion due to adiabatic compression. These lapses on the part of Respondent No.5 have resulted in the said occurrence, for which it should be held accountable. For the breach of provisions of Section 7 (A) (2) (a) of the Factories Act, 1948, factory owner/ occupier needs to be proceeded against after obtaining approval from the Central Government, as is indicated in the affidavit of Respondent No.1 because in this affidavit nowhere has it been mentioned as to whether prosecution has been initiated against Respondent No.5 so far or not. Therefore, we direct Respondent No.6- District Collector, Bhandara to ensure that criminal proceedings is lodged against the said factory occupier.
11. Respondent No.5- Munitions India Limited has filed reply affidavit dated 25.04.2025, stating therein that the unit, in which incident happened, is one of the units which comes under Munitions India Limited, Pune. The unit named Ordnance Factory Bhandara is a pioneer in explosive and chemical groups and lays strong emphasis on safety protocols and procedures related to hazardous materials. It was very unfortunate that an accident happened in one of its manufacturing plant "Low Temperature Plastic Explosive Building No.PE-23" on 24th January, 2025. The said building is being utilized to manufacture Low Temperature Plastic Explosive, exclusively used by the Indian Army.
12. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.5 that due to explosion, the Bldg. No.PE-23 collapsed, resulting in subsequent trapping of thirteen persons who were in the building. Rest of the facts, which are given with respect to death and injuries caused to the workers, are already considered above, while dealing with the earlier affidavit of Respondent No.1.
ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 6 of 13
13. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.5 that there is no damage caused to the environment due to the unfortunate incident. The damage to property was within the factory premises. No claim has been received for any other damage from any of the outside agency, person and Authority on the grounds of damage to the environment. The employees deployed have already been compensated as per the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. Each deceased employee has been paid ex-gratia amount of Rs. 25 lakhs (Rupees Twenty Five Lakh Only). In addition to that, the Answering Respondent has also paid Financial Assistance of Rupees Twenty Five Lakhs to each and every deceased. Deceased Trade Apprentice has also got financial assistance of Rupees Twenty Five Lakhs from MIL Account, in addition to compensation as per the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. Further, complete treatment, travelling and other expenses of all injured workers in the incident have been taken due care of. Further, ex-gratia amount of Rupees One Lakh each has been paid to the injured persons and additional amount of Rupees One Lakh Eighty Five Thousand has been paid to each individual by way of financial assistance from the factory employee's contribution. At present, one family member of deceased Trade Apprentice has been issued an offer of appointment on compassionate ground. In continuation to the above, dependents of five deceased employees including one Trade Apprentice have also got appointment on compassionate ground. Other relevant cases of compassionate appointment related to deceased employees are in process and would soon be finalized.
14. It is further mentioned in this affidavit by Respondent No.5 that the Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj has also issued Pension Payment Order in respect of dependent of ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 7 of 13 deceased employees. Department has taken due care to fulfil all laid down parameters of Government rules and also given all compensatory benefits, as per the law laid down in the Judgment passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Sarla Verma case and Pranay Sethi case, details of which are given in para nos.10 & 11 of this affidavit.
15. Respondent No.5- Munitions India Limited has also filed reply affidavit dated 17.07.2025 in pursuance to this Tribunal's order, in which following details have been given:-
"Compensation, Ex-Gratia and Financial Assistance paid to deceased 08 Employees and 01 Trade Apprentice "
16. It is further mentioned in this affidavit dated 17.07.2025 by Respondent No.5 that the Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), Prayagraj has also issued Pension Payment Order in respect of dependent of deceased employees, as follows:- ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 8 of 13
17. It is further mentioned in this affidavit dated 17.07.2025 by Respondent No.5 that the family members of deceased have been considered for compassionate appointment and at this period of time, out of 9 deceased, family members of 8 have joined duty in the Department. The details are as under:-
"
"
18. Further, the details of the injured persons have been given in para no.12 of this affidavit dated 17.07.2025.
19. Further, the details of the Ex-Gratia and Financial Assistance paid to 03 injured Employees and 01 Trade Apprentice are as follows:- ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 9 of 13
"
"
20. Respondent No.5- Munitions India Limited has filed additional reply affidavit dated 20.11.2025, wherein at Annexure- I, it has given the details of the compensation paid to the Employees and Trade Apprentice in accordance with the Sarla Verma's case, which are reproduced herein below:-
"ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 10 of 13
"
21. A perusal of the above-mentioned chart with respect to dependents of the two deceased workers, namely M.A. Meshram and S.R. Karemore, would indicate that the process of payment of amount of compensation, in terms of the Judgment delivered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Sarla Verma's case, is said to be under process. Therefore, we direct that the same be expedited and be completed within a period of one month positively from the date of uploading of this Judgment and submit report in this regard to the Registry of this Tribunal within two weeks thereafter.
22. A perusal of the above-mentioned chart would also clearly establish that the amount of compensation paid to dependents of the deceased appears to be higher than the amount, which was supposed to be paid as per the Sarla Verma's case. Therefore, no further direction is required to ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 11 of 13 be issued concerning the compensation paid to the dependents of the deceased workers.
23. Respondent No.6- Collector Office, Bhandara has filed reply affidavit dated 29.07.2025, in which it appears that the same facts have been mentioned, which have already been dealt with above while dealing with the earlier affidavits of Respondent Nos.1 & 5. Therefore, they need not be reproduced here.
24. Respondent No.3- MPCB has also filed reply affidavit dated 25.03.2025, wherein it is specifically mentioned that the Answering Respondent has carried out Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) at Village Sahuli, Tal & District- Bhandara for 24 hrs. on 24th - 25th January, 2025. Further, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring was carried out at two locations of M/s. Ordnance Factory Bhandara at Factory gate and Factory colony by using Respirable Dust Sampler (RDS) on 24th - 25th January, 2025. The analysis result of the same reveals that the value of Particulate Matter or PM10 at above three locations are found exceeding the permissible limits. Further, the value of PM2.5 analysed by Mobile Van at village Sahuli was also found exceeding the limit. Therefore, on the basis of non-compliances observed during the visit on 24.01.2025, the Answering Respondent issued Closure Directions to the said Factory on 25.02.2025 and directed not to restart the production activity of the affected/damaged section of the industry until they obtain permission from CFEES, DISH, MPCB and other concerned Departments.
25. In view of above, we are of the view that already directions have been issued at the appropriate stage, while dealing with the earlier affidavits of the Respondents. Therefore, those directions have to be complied with by the concerned Authority.
ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 12 of 13
26. We further direct that the Authority shall not allow Respondent No.5 to operate unless the suggestions, which are given by way of remedial measures to be adopted by the Factory, are implemented, which we have already reproduced above.
27. With the above directions/observations, we dispose of this Original Application accordingly.
Dinesh Kumar Singh, JM Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, EM January 05, 2026 ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) [Earlier Original Application No.56/2025(PB)] P.Kr.
ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.20 OF 2025(WZ) Page 13 of 13