Edayar factory fire: Joint inspection of industrial units in Ernakulam not started yet

Kochi: It has been more than a week since a migrant worker was killed and three got injured in a fire incident at Cee Jee Lubricants company in Edayar and district administration asked the fire force, industries department and boilers and factories department to conduct a joint inspection at industrial units in Ernakulam. However, no such inspection has taken place so far.The meeting convened by district collector G Priyanka on March 27 had asked the authorities concerned to conduct the inspection within 10 days. However, boilers and factories department officials said they have not received any official intimation in this regard. "There are around 380 units in Edayar industrial area alone. We can start the joint inspection only after the Vishu festival, as officials would be on leave until then. Besides, we are yet to receive any intimation from the district administration regarding this," an officer said. The factory was shut following the direction of the boilers and factories department. It can resume operation only after it complies with the directions recommended by the department to the headquarters in the final inquiry report. It was found that a safety lapse on the part of the company led to the fire in the thermal fluid heater on March 25.