Telangana Pushes Joint Response Plan for Chemical Accidents in Factories

The Telangana government has called for stronger coordination among Major Accident Hazard (MAH) factories, district administrations, and emergency agencies to ensure swift and effective responses during chemical accidents and industrial emergencies.

The directive was issued during a specialised workshop organised jointly by the National Safety Council’s Telangana Chapter and the state Department of Factories at the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) in Hyderabad on Monday. Around 96 representatives from MAH factories across the state alongside government officials attended the programme to deliberate on industrial safety measures and emergency management protocols.

Addressing the gathering, Harichandrana Dasari, Secretary to Government, SHAKTI department, instructed the factories department to strengthen coordination among all concerned agencies to guarantee timely action and interventions during potential emergencies. The emphasis was placed on creating an integrated framework that connects plant management directly with local authorities and rescue teams.

Director of Factories Y. Mohan Babu highlighted that preparedness across industrial facilities has become increasingly critical, noting that state-level mock drills are actively being conducted in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). These simulations are aimed at testing response capabilities and identifying operational gaps before real crises occur.

Mohan Babu also stressed the mandatory compliance with key regulatory frameworks governing industrial and chemical safety. These include the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, the Chemical Accidents Rules, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Factory managements were urged to align their internal operating procedures strictly with these statutory requirements.

The workshop primarily focused on strengthening internal emergency mechanisms within factory premises and coordinating external response measures. Officials underlined that the primary objective of these joint disaster response plans is to safeguard the lives of industrial workers as well as protect communities residing in areas surrounding chemical and hazardous industrial units.