Sigachi unit explosion likely caused by choking in air handling unit
Initial findings at the Sigachi Chloro Chemicals blast site point to possible choking in the air handling unit as the cause. The explosion brought down the G 2 building. Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident
Sangareddy: Following a preliminary inspection of the explosion site at Sigachi Chloro Chemicals Private Limited in Pashamylaram Industrial Area, the company management and members of the local industrial community suspect that choking in the air handling unit may have triggered the mishap.
Due to the high intensity of the explosion, the G 2 building housing the administrative office collapsed completely. Sigachi is recognised as one of the leading manufacturers of microcrystalline cellulose powder in India. The powder, used as a filler in medicines, is produced using wood pulp as the raw material.
Speaking to ‘Telangana Today’, former chairman of the Industrial Local Area Authority, Pashamylaram, Durgaprasad, who also runs a pharmaceutical company in the vicinity, said Sigachi had been operating in the area for just over 35 days. Until now, no major incident had been reported at the facility.
Durgaprasad noted that choking of the air handling unit was the suspected cause, though a reactor was also found to have exploded inside the plant. He added that there had been no official response yet from the Inspector of Factories Department.
Meanwhile, Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha has directed officials to conduct a detailed inquiry into the explosion.
