FAISALABAD: One single inspector has been appointed here to carry out the inspection of boilers [fitness] whereas the district has scores of textile dyeing units which are using the machine.

A boiler had been installed at the MA Processing without seeking the government permission which exploded on Tuesday last killing four people on the spot and injuring 11 others. The death toll rose to five as one of the injured - Sikandar of Okara - succumbed to his wounds at the Allied Hospital on Thursday.

All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association Chairman Ahtisham said more than 200 boilers had been installed in different factories of Faisalabad and just one inspector was deputed to carry out the inspection. He said the government must introduce the third-party inspection and nobody [factory owner] should be allowed to ‘manage’ the boiler inspector in case of any wrongdoing.

All boilers had been purchased from the certified manufacturers and majority of them were imported, he said adding in case of any eventuality all people attached with the chain must be grilled.

He said: “We had requested the government to remove the inspector and opt for system of third-party inspection. For inspection of a boiler, we have to shut down our entire system related to boiler and then we wait for the inspector.”

Sources said Faisalabad had only one boiler inspector who was dealing the Faisalabad and Sargodha regions. They said the people at the helm of affairs were well aware that one inspector was not sufficient for two regions. However, nothing was being done to tackle the issue particularly for Faisalabad which is known as textile capital of Pakistan.

Currently, Imran Shoaib is serving as inspector of boiler Sargodha Circle Faisalabad.

Owing to poor administrative control of the government, the millers are employing the unskilled labourers to run the boilers which often lead to eventualities.

Tariq Mehmood, a boiler operator, said he had no qualification and training to run a boiler. However, he was given job by the factory management as he was unemployed and they required an employee.

He said: “I had served the factory and then left it fearing any eventuality. During my tenure of job which lasted for more than two years, I had never witnessed visit of any boiler inspector.”

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ali said after installation of the boiler in November last three notices [off and on] had been issued to the owners of MA Processing. He said the owner failed to comply with the instructions of boiler inspector.

He said the boiler was not approved by the industries department.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2020