The Telangana Pollution Control Board (PCB) has ordered the closure of Nosch Labs' bulk drug manufacturing unit at Chityal in Nalgonda district following a reactor explosion that resulted in the death of one employee and injuries to five others.
Accident Details
The incident occurred on May 1 in production block-3 during charging operations for Lansoprazole Sulfide in reactor SSR-2. Senior chemist Boddu Bala Krishna died in the blast, while shift in-charge Linga Swamy, helper David, senior chemists Shankar and Lokeshwara Rao, and chemist Hari Prasad sustained injuries.
PCB Inspection Findings
Following an inspection, PCB officials found that the company had failed to implement adequate safety measures and had violated consent conditions and previous board directions. Officials also observed that chemically contaminated firefighting water was diverted into an earthen trench instead of a designated collection tank.
The board noted that no environmental staff from the company were present during the inspection, although plant head Prabhakar Reddy was at the site.
Unreported Previous Accident
PCB further discovered that the company had failed to report an earlier accident on April 9, caused by static electricity, in which two workers were injured.
Closure Order and Directives
On May 7, the board issued closure orders and directed TGSPDCL to disconnect power supply. The company was also instructed to immediately halt operations and dispose of contaminated wastewater and debris at authorised treatment facilities.
PCB warned that any violation of the closure order would invite prosecution and imprisonment.
