Report filed by TNPCB on ammonium nitrate stored in a Custom warehouse, Chennai, 19/08/2020
Report filed on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) in Original Application No. 173 of 2020.
The matter relates to 700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in a custom bonded warehouse of M/s Sattva Container Freight Station (CFS) at Ponneri Road, Manali, Tiruvottriyur taluk, Chennai district. The ammonium nitrate has been stored in the CFS since 2015.
The warehouse was inspected on August 6, 2020 by the TNPCB officials along with officials from the Police department and Fire & Rescue Services, Chennai.
The inspection report mentions the following:
i. The extent of the warehouse was about 18 acres, surrounded by container freight stations at east, west and northern directions and Ponneri High road followed by container freight station in western direction.
ii. The nearest habitation are Manali New Town at a distance of 700 m in the northern direction with a population of about 7000 and Sadayankuppam village at a distance of 1500 m in eastern direction with a population of about 5000.
iii. There are 37 number of MS containers each having approximately 20 tons - a total of 740 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was stored within the premises of Sattva Container Freight Station.
iv. The ammonium nitrate has been transported from the Chennai port and stored in the premises since September 27, 2015. The hazardous chemical is being stored in crystallised form in 25 kg polypropylene bags.
v. The official from the Customs Department present during inspection informed that the material has been imported by M/s Sri Amman Chemicals, Karur. The chemical was still under the possession of the Customs department due to some legal issues.
vi. The Customs official also reported that the bidding for the utilization of ammonium nitrate has been called for and the process would be completed soon.
The Custom bonded warehouse of M/s Sattva Container Freight Station was again inspected and it was noticed that the ammonium nitrate stored was removed. It was informed that 37 containers with 697 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were sent to M/s Salvo Explosives & Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. in Ankireddypalli village, Keesara road, Keesara mandal, Medchal Malkajgiri, Telangana. The unit is a manufacturer of detonators and has a license for ammonium nitrate.
The TNPCB report said that though it was mentioned in the earlier report that about 740 tonnes were stored in the container freight station, but the actual quantity was only 697 tonnes in 37 containers. This was transported to M/s Salvo Explosives & Chemicals in Hyderabad, Telangana.