Port Blair, Feb 13: The lone Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray today warned the Andaman and Nicobar Administration of a disaster like Bhopal Gas Tragedy at Port Blair.
In a SOS letter addressed to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands the MP has pointed out that the Old Cold Storage –cum- Ice Plant of Aberdeen Bazaar area of Port Blair city is presently in horrible shape and there is a possibility of blast in the ammonia receiver tank.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha today at Port Blair the MP said that the Ice plant is not working, though the cold storage is made to run forcibly.
“The plant was damaged in the Tsunami tragedy. Later on it was made operational anyhow. I have come to know that the receiver ammonia tank contains 600 kg of Ammonia. The tank got rusted at many parts as after the Tsunami calamity and the entire plant was submerged. Now the tank is maintained by applying greeze which can hardly do any good,” the MP added.
The MP fears a tragedy like Bhopal, if there is a blast in the receiver tank of the Ice-Plant.
“The 600 kg ammonia blast is capable of killing hundreds of people in the entire Rajiv Gandhi park area, municipal Guest house, water sports complex, the National Memorial cellular Jail, the Directorate of Health services, G.B.Pant Hospital etc area. The lives of around 14 employees are also in absolute danger. The condition of the cold storage is horrible,” Mr. Ray added.
The MP further alleged that nearly two years back the then Chief Secretary of A & N Administration and other senior officers had taken a decision to shift the Cold Storage either to Fisheries Training Centre Dignabad or Phoenix Bay but no action was taken later.
