Dewas blast exposes massive explosives rule violations:Factory licensed for 15 kg allegedly stored tons of gunpowder; five dead, owner linked to local MP

A massive explosion ripped through a firecracker factory near Tonkkala in Dewas on Thursday, killing five people and exposing major administrative lapses in the handling of explosives. The factory, which was still under construction, had reportedly begun large-scale firecracker production despite incomplete infrastructure and inadequate safety arrangements. More than 600 workers were present at the site when the blast occurred. Police have detained factory operator Anil Malviya. Authorities said he possessed a license permitting storage of only 15 kilograms of explosives, while several tonnes of explosive material and finished firecrackers were allegedly being manufactured and stored inside the premises. Factory started operations only six months ago The firecracker unit near Tonkkala had reportedly begun operations just six months ago. Sources said the operator had received a major order for firecrackers that needed to be completed before the onset of the monsoon, prompting rapid expansion of production activities. Workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Dewas were employed at the factory. Additional labourers were reportedly being recruited through contractors as production intensified. Officials suspect explosives were being stored and handled in quantities far exceeding the permitted limit. Rules violated despite strict explosives regulations Under state regulations, strict norms govern the storage and handling of explosive materials. According to officials, a license allowing storage of 15 kilograms of explosives permits production and storage of a maximum of around 600 kilograms of firecrackers. However, investigators found explosives and finished firecrackers in several tonnes at the site, raising serious questions over regulatory oversight and inspections by local authorities. Rules mandate that any storage beyond 15 kilograms requires a special license issued from Bhopal, with stringent conditions related to safety infrastructure, worker management, and operational protocols. Authorities are now probing how such a large-scale operation continued under the cover of a small-capacity license. Incomplete construction, no safety measures The incident has also raised questions over how a license was issued before the factory construction was completed. The premises had only boundary fencing on the outside, while several internal blocks remained unfinished. Newly installed machines were operational, and workers were manually manufacturing firecrackers at more than 50 locations within the unit. According to preliminary findings, the factory lacked even basic safety arrangements. There was no proper first-aid setup, no emergency medical support, and insufficient water supply for firefighting. Minors allegedly among workers Many of the injured workers are reportedly from Bihar, and officials suspect several of them may be below 18 years of age. The revelation has put the labour department under scrutiny, with questions being raised over the role of local officials, including the tehsildar, patwari, and SDM, who allegedly failed to notice unsafe operations involving explosives and unprotected workers. Blast damaged multiple blocks Located along the Agra-Mumbai National Highway near Tonkkala, the factory spread across nearly three bighas of land. Though construction was incomplete, production had already started in multiple sections. The block where the explosion occurred was reportedly destroyed by nearly 50 percent. Firecracker manufacturing using explosive material was underway in at least six other blocks as well. Social media posts show operator’s proximity to MP Following the blast, several social media posts and photographs surfaced showing factory operator Anil Malviya with Dewas MP Mahendra Singh Solanki. In some of the viral images, Malviya is seen offering sweets to the MP. While the MP expressed grief over the incident on social media, questions are now being raised over whether the factory operator enjoyed political patronage that allowed safety violations to go unchecked. Commissioner avoids questions on licensing When asked by the media about the factory’s ownership and the quantity of explosives permitted under the license, Ujjain Division Commissioner Ashish Singh said the immediate priority was treatment of the injured. He stated that most of the injured workers were out of danger and that medical care remained the administration’s top concern.