Dewas, Singrauli store 95% of ammonium nitrate in MP

Bhopal: After the Beirut blasts that led to massive destruction and loss of lives, the focus is back on storage of ammonium nitrate—commonly used in fertilizers and explosives. In Madhya Pradesh more than 81,000 quintals of ammonium nitrate is stored at different places.

Surprisingly of the 81,000 qtls, 95% of this storage is in two districts —Singrauli and Dewas.

In Dewas , around 40,000 quintals is stored.

TOI took stock of the situation in MP. Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), which monitors the storage as well as transportation of ammonium nitrate, has only three officials and seven office staff in the state. The district administration sends monthly inspection reports to the PESO officials who then scrutinize it and take action if any discrepancy is found.

Sources said that there are around 72 premises where ammonium nitrate storage permissions are granted in the state. But a majority of these premises are in Singrauli, Dewas, and smaller quantities in Anuppur and Katni districts. Several protocols are laid down for the storage, security and movement of ammonium nitrate, sources from PESO said. Movement of the explosive is monitored online by PESO officials as well as district administration said sources.

The biggest licencee of ammonium nitrate is a single firm which makes fertilizers and is also a distributor of ammonium nitrate. It has storage licences in Dewas as well as Singrauli. Besides, the power plants in Singrauli also have storage licences.

Mining companies of the government, which are in Singrauli, Anuppur, Shahdol Betul, also have storage licences, but in very less quantity. In Dewas, only 45,000 quintal storage is allowed in two premises, while 31,000 quintals is stored at eight premises, 1,200 quintals is stored at Anuppur, 3,500 qtls in Katni district. These are sanctioned storage capacities. Actual storage is dynamic — sometimes it may be less than this but it will never cross the maximum limit, added sources.