The Sara Bangla Atashbaji Unnayan Samity, also known as the All Bengal Fireworks Development Association, has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing worries about hazardous training practices under the guise of eco-friendly firecracker production. The association’s chairman, Babla Roy, highlighted the teaching of risky ‘cold pyro’ fireworks in South 24 Parganas district, using chemicals like ‘nitrocellulose’ and ‘amyl perchlorate’ not approved by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization.
The letter, sent to the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary of the Small and Cottage Industries Department, calls for immediate administrative action to address the issue. It warns that providing such training to unlicensed individuals could lead to uncontrollable situations, potentially resulting in severe accidents and loss of life. The association emphasized the need for quality control measures and documentation of raw materials to prevent tragedies like the recent Anandapur fire incident that claimed 27 lives.
Referring to the banned chemicals used in the ‘cold pyro’ fireworks, the association urged firework manufacturers to maintain quality test reports and invoices from approved laboratories. This, they believe, will aid in determining the root cause of any accidents that may occur in the future. The letter also highlighted the risks associated with spreading knowledge of making unauthorized and dangerous fireworks, emphasizing the importance of regulatory oversight to prevent potential disasters.
