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The Hindu Editorial • March 04, 2026 • Read Original
Safety last: On explosives units, safety record
Explosives units flout rules for maximising profit, thus putting workers at risk
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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on March 04, 2026
Safety last: On explosives units, safety record
Explosives units flout rules for maximising profit, thus putting workers at risk
Explosives Industry SafetyNagpur Industrial BlastsAndhra Pradesh Firecracker AccidentsPESO RegulationWorker Safety India
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 21
Sentence 1 of 21
India’s high-risk industries typically have a poor safety record.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
India’s high-risk industries
Dangerous businesses in India like chemical factories or mines
Verb
typically have
Usually show or possess
Object
a poor safety record
A bad history of following safety rules or many past accidents
Sentence 2 of 21
They operate in the margins, employ poorly paid unskilled workers, are characterised by unsafe working practices, and function under poor regulatory oversight.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
They
These dangerous industries we mentioned earlier
Verb
operate
Work or do business
Adjunct
in the margins
With very little profit or by barely following the rules
Verb
employ
Give jobs to people
Object
poorly paid unskilled workers
Workers who have no special training and get very low wages
Verb
are characterised
Are known for or have the quality of
Adjunct
by unsafe working practices
Because of methods or ways of working that are not safe
Verb
function
Work or run their business
Adjunct
under poor regulatory oversight
While the government agencies do not watch or control them properly
Sentence 3 of 21
The explosive handling industry is a glaring example of such a high-risk industry.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The explosive handling industry
The business of making, storing, or carrying explosive materials like firecrackers
Verb
is
Acts as a clear case of
Complement
a glaring example of such a high-risk industry
A very obvious and shocking proof of a dangerous business
Sentence 4 of 21
In October 2025, a devastating explosion at Sri Ganapathi Grand Fireworks in Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district, which killed 10 people, led authorities to frame new safety norms and standard operating procedures.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In October 2025
In that specific month and year
Subject
a devastating explosion at Sri Ganapathi Grand Fireworks in Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district
A very destructive blast in a firework factory in a coastal district of Andhra Pradesh
Adjunct
which killed 10 people
Which resulted in the death of ten workers
Verb
led
Caused or forced
Object
authorities
Government officials and police who are in charge
Adjunct
to frame new safety norms and standard operating procedures
To create new safety rules and fixed steps for working safely
Sentence 5 of 21
But it would seem that few of these were followed by Sri Surya Firecrackers at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district, where an explosion on Saturday killed all 20 people present on the site.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
But
However (shows that the rules were not useful because they were not followed)
Subject
it
The situation or fact
Verb
would seem
Appears or looks like
Complement
that few of these were followed by Sri Surya Firecrackers at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district, where an explosion on Saturday killed all 20 people present on the site
That almost none of the rules were used at the Sri Surya factory, where a recent blast killed everyone there
Sentence 6 of 21
Another disturbing fact is that both units were owned by the same person.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Another disturbing fact
One more shocking or upsetting piece of information
Verb
is
Is as follows
Complement
that both units were owned by the same person
That the same man was the owner of both industries that had explosions
Sentence 7 of 21
The Vetlapalem unit had been ordered to cease operations in January and had, in any case, far exceeded its permitted daily quota of explosives and workforce numbers after securing a large temple festival order.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Vetlapalem unit
The firework factory in Vetlapalem village
Verb
had been ordered
Was given a legal command
Complement
to cease operations in January
To stop all work in January (it was banned from working)
Verb
had far exceeded
Had gone way beyond the allowed limit
Adjunct
in any case
Regardless of the ban or other facts
Object
its permitted daily quota of explosives and workforce numbers
The legal limit of how many crackers it could make and how many workers it could have each day
Adjunct
after securing a large temple festival order
After getting a big business deal for a local temple function
Sentence 8 of 21
Nagpur was conceived as a hub of India’s explosives making – with about four major public sector units supplying explosives, detonators and related materials for defence and industrial uses.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Nagpur
The city in Maharashtra famous for its central location and industries
Verb
was conceived
Was planned or thought of (by the government)
Complement
as a hub of India’s explosives making
As a main center for creating explosive materials in India
Adjunct
with about four major public sector units supplying explosives, detonators and related materials for defence and industrial uses
Having four large government factories that provide explosives and firing tools for the army and for mining work
Sentence 9 of 21
The area’s green cover provided camouflage with good connectivity with the rest of India.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The area’s green cover
The many trees and forests in the area around Nagpur
Verb
provided
Gave or made available
Object
camouflage
A way of hiding something by making it blend in with its natural surroundings
Adjunct
with good connectivity with the rest of India
While also having good roads and railways to connect with other parts of the country
Sentence 10 of 21
Today, nearly a dozen such private factories function in the Bazargaon area of Nagpur district.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Today
In the present time
Subject
nearly a dozen such private factories
Almost twelve factories that are owned by individuals or private companies
Verb
function
Work or do their business
Adjunct
in the Bazargaon area of Nagpur district
In a specific region called Bazargaon in the Nagpur district
Sentence 11 of 21
Most of the workers are women on low wages.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Most of the workers
The majority of people doing jobs in these factories
Verb
are
Consist of
Complement
women on low wages
Women who earn very little money for their daily work
Sentence 12 of 21
Often drawn from farmlands acquired for factories, the workforce is barely educated and insufficiently trained.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Often drawn from farmlands acquired for factories
Mostly coming from agricultural lands that were taken or bought to build these industries
Subject
the workforce
The group of people who work in these factories
Verb
is
Is in a state of being
Complement
barely educated and insufficiently trained
Having very little schooling and not given enough training for dangerous work
Sentence 13 of 21
On Sunday, a blast at SBL Energy factory, Nagpur, killed 19 workers, most of them women.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
On Sunday
On the recent Sunday when the accident happened
Subject
a blast at SBL Energy factory, Nagpur
An explosion in a specific factory called SBL Energy in Nagpur
Verb
killed
Cause the death of
Object
19 workers
Nineteen people who were doing their jobs there
Adjunct
most of them women
Most of the 19 people who died were female workers
Sentence 14 of 21
More than 20 lives have been lost in the past two years in half a dozen accidents in these units, including two at Solar Explosives, the largest unit, whose owner received the Padma Shri this year.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
More than 20 lives
More than twenty people
Verb
have been lost
Have died (used to show that these lives were taken due to accidents)
Adjunct
in the past two years
During the last two year period
Adjunct
in half a dozen accidents in these units
In about six separate explosions in these factories
Adjunct
including two at Solar Explosives, the largest unit, whose owner received the Padma Shri this year
Specifically mentioning two blasts at the biggest factory, Solar Explosives, whose owner got the high national award (Padma Shri) recently
Sentence 15 of 21
Locals point out that the political connections of factory owners often invite the light hand of law enforcement.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Locals
People who live in the villages and areas near the factories
Verb
point out
Explain or state clearly
Object
that the political connections of factory owners often invite the light hand of law enforcement
That because factory owners know powerful politicians, the police and inspectors do not punish them strictly
Sentence 16 of 21
Ironically, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, the regulator, is headquartered in Nagpur.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Ironically
In a strange or funny way because it is the opposite of what you expect
Subject
the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, the regulator
The government department (PESO) which is responsible for safety in explosives and petroleum
Verb
is headquartered
Has its main office or central building
Adjunct
in Nagpur
In the city of Nagpur
Sentence 17 of 21
In an example of lax supervision, several PESO officials faced a CBI inquiry for issuing licences for bribes.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In an example of lax supervision
As a clear case of careless monitoring or bad control
Subject
several PESO officials
Many officers in the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation
Verb
faced
Had to deal with or went through
Object
a CBI inquiry
An investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (India’s top investigative agency)
Adjunct
for issuing licences for bribes
For giving permits in exchange for illegal money
Sentence 18 of 21
Only an overhaul of safety practices, norms and supervisory mechanisms as well as a commitment of business owners to safety can improve the safety record of these units.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Only an overhaul of safety practices, norms and supervisory mechanisms as well as a commitment of business owners to safety
Only a complete change of safety rules, better checking by officials, and a strong promise from factory owners to follow safety
Verb
can improve
Has the ability to make better
Object
the safety record of these units
The history of how safe these factories have been
Sentence 19 of 21
There is a lesson from Tamil Nadu.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
There
In this situation (used to start the sentence)
Verb
is
Exists
Subject
a lesson from Tamil Nadu
An important example of how to improve things from the state of Tamil Nadu
Sentence 20 of 21
Once infamous for child labour in unsafe workplaces, and frequent deadly accidents, Sivakasi’s fireworks units have now turned around their safety record.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Once infamous for child labour in unsafe workplaces, and frequent deadly accidents
Formerly well known for bad things like making children work in dangerous places and having many fatal blasts
Subject
Sivakasi’s fireworks units
The factories that make crackers in the town of Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu
Verb
have now turned around
Have completely changed for the better
Object
their safety record
Their history of following safety and avoiding accidents
Sentence 21 of 21
Enhanced safety training and awareness among workers and owners have achieved this though illegal units still report accidents.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Enhanced safety training and awareness among workers and owners
Better safety teaching and more knowledge given to both workers and factory owners
Verb
have achieved
Have successfully made this happen
Object
this
This better safety record and reduction in accidents
Adjunct
though illegal units still report accidents
Even though factories that are run without licenses still have blasts
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - Explosives Industry Safety
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the safety record of explosives manufacturing units in India.
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