5,000 detonators in 8-hour shift: Women’s target at Nagpur plant where 19 died in blast

NAGPUR: A day after the deadly explosion at SBL Energy Ltd's Kalmeshwar unit, disturbing details have emerged about working conditions of women employed in the factory's high-risk detonator section, where most of the casualties occurred.

Of the 19 workers killed, 11 were women — continuing a pattern seen in previous accidents involving private explosives manufacturing units in the region. These impoverished women, many of them tribals, are picked from the farm and deployed in the factory's most dangerous operations with very little training, say insiders.


Industry sources said women are often preferred for certain operations. "They are sincere, punctual and do not complain. For many women, factory work is seen as better than farm labour," said an industry source, adding women are largely engaged in sensitive sections such as detonator handling.

"Women run the crimping machines, but the pay is very low," said Naina Gaikwad, who lost her sister Payal in the blast. She was deployed in the ill-fated crimping section where the explosion occurred, while Naina was working in an adjacent block and survived.

According to her, workers are required to crimp at least 5,000 detonators in an eight-hour shift. "Supervisors threaten to sack us if targets are not met. Incentives are offered if production exceeds limits, which pushes workers to work faster," she said.

Workers claimed safety protocols were minimal, largely limited to oral instructions to remain careful while handling detonator boxes. Monthly salaries, they said, rarely exceeded 15,000 and dropped to around 13,000 after deductions.

Outside the Nagpur divisional commissioner's office on Monday, grieving families waited as officials and politicians held meetings on relief and compensation. Scenes of grief unfolded at the venue as men mourned wives and sisters lost in the accident, some accompanied by young children struggling to comprehend the tragedy. "Their mother died," said a co-worker, pointing to two children sitting silently beside relatives. Nearby, a man in his fifties with braces on his arms recounted how he was earlier injured in an accident at another explosives unit, but did not receive compensation for treatment. "My sister works in SBL. Thankfully, she returned home safe," he said.

The blast occurred in the crimping unit, where detonators are sealed before being fitted with explosive material. The work involves operating pedal-driven machines used to seal detonators. Workers alleged the job is physically exhausting and target driven. Local sources said women are also employed in assembling other explosive components.

As investigations into the blast continue, families and labour representatives have raised concerns over low wages, inadequate safety measures and the concentration of women workers in a high-risk assembly line.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !