High-level Committee Appointed to Investigate MIDC Explosion in Dombivli, Announces Maharashtra Govt

Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant on Tuesday announced the appointment of a high-level committee to investigate the explosion at MIDC in Dombivli. During a media interaction in Mumbai, Samant revealed that the committee, consisting of the principal secretaries of industries, labour, and environment would review industries in categories A, B, and C. The committee is tasked with scrutinising companies that have violated regulations or engaged in unauthorised construction and will submit its report in three weeks.

Samant also stated that Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde visited Dombivli and issued specific instructions that the committee and relevant officials will strictly follow.

The industries minister discussed a related review meeting held earlier in the day. He mentioned that a decision to relocate the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and its chemical companies had been taken two years ago, and the process of land acquisition at Patalganga, Jambhavali, had been initiated but was halted due to the model code of conduct for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

“The ministry will now write to the Election Commission requesting permission to proceed with the relocation process and allot seats to entrepreneurs,” Samant said.

The minister also disclosed that the Dombivli blast caused an estimated loss of around Rs 13 crore, including a commercial loss of Rs 12 crore and a residential loss of Rs 1.66 crore. “The Maharashtra government is committed to covering these losses and will bear the expenses of the deceased and those seriously injured. Companies with insurance may not need immediate government assistance,” he added. “Efforts are underway to relocate companies to the MIDC and Chemical Zone in Maharashtra. The government is taking steps to ensure that companies adhering to the rules do not suffer losses during this transition.”

Addressing allegations from opposition leaders regarding GAIL’s departure from Maharashtra, Uday Samant clarified that the company had not submitted a complete proposal to the state government. “GAIL initially requested land in Ratnagiri, which was unavailable at the time. When availability was confirmed, GAIL officials cited previous protests and political pressure as reasons for not pursuing the refinery proposal further,” he explained.

Samant also highlighted the state government’s initiatives for local and district-level company expansion and investment. Key investments include:

• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: Rs 568 crore
• Nashik: Rs 975 crore
• Amravati: Rs 229 crore
• Nagpur: Rs 159 crore
• Pune: Rs 305 crore
• Konkan: Rs 416 crore

“These investments total Rs 2,652 crore. Additionally, significant overall investments amounting to Rs 96,681 crore have been made, creating 231,330 jobs across Maharashtra,” Samant said.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister’s Employment Scheme has fostered the creation of thousands of entrepreneurs and jobs, he said. The figures are:

• 2019-2020: 1,220 (no. of entrepreneurs and jobs created)
• 2020-2021: 4,812
• 2021-2022: 4,093
• 2022-2023: 12,336
• 2023-present: 19,800

“In two years, this scheme has created 31,000 entrepreneurs and 90,000 jobs. At the district level, it has generated 2 lakh jobs,” Samant noted. He urged the opposition to consider these achievements and avoid politicising the issue.

Samant further mentioned that Magnetic Maharashtra, a major investment programme scheduled for August or September, is expected to bring significant investments and create numerous employment opportunities in the state.

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