The toll in the blast at SBL Energy Limited has risen to 22, with two more victims succumbing to burn injuries over the weekend. (Photo: special arrangement)
Eight days after the deadly explosion at an explosives manufacturing unit in Nagpur, the state government has begun work on a proposal urging the Centre to amend the country’s ageing explosives safety framework.
The toll in the blast at SBL Energy Limited has risen to 22, with two more victims succumbing to burn injuries over the weekend. Nineteen of those killed were women workers.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state would recommend amendments to the Explosives Rules, 2008 — regulations that govern the manufacture, storage and handling of explosives across India.
Officials in Nagpur have now begun drafting that proposal.
Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar told The Indian Express that the draft is being prepared using three internationally recognised safety standards: NFPA 495, which lays down norms for handling and transporting explosives; OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), which focuses on hazard management and post-incident safety design; and IEC 60079, which regulates electrical equipment used in explosive environments.
Authorities are also mapping the entire explosives production chain to examine whether high-risk stages can be replaced with robotics or automated systems, reducing manual intervention.
Experts from the National Fire Service College in Nagpur are assisting the administration in preparing the report.
According to officials, the push for amendments stems from gaps in the current rules, which are nearly 18 years old and considered too broad in their wording. Several provisions simply require “safety precautions” without specifying what those precautions must entail, leaving room for interpretation during inspections by agencies such as the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) or labour safety authorities.
Story continues below this ad
By incorporating international standards, the state hopes to introduce clearer technical specifications and uniform safety benchmarks across explosives manufacturing units, particularly in Nagpur’s growing explosives cluster.
The proposal was initiated after Nagpur’s Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule asked senior district officials, including Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari and Collector Vipin Itankar, to prepare recommendations for the Centre.
Officials, however, say the timeline for completing the proposal remains uncertain. While incorporating the three international standards may be straightforward, mapping the entire manufacturing process and assessing automation possibilities will require consultations with industry stakeholders.
“We do not want to propose something that is economically completely unfeasible,” Poddar said.
Story continues below this ad
Meanwhile, police are moving to initiate proclamation proceedings under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita against SBL Energy owner Alok Chaudhari, who remains absconding. If arrest warrants remain unexecuted, the court could order the attachment of his property.
The death toll of the blast, meanwhile, continues to rise. Among the latest victims was Amrapali Kalsarpe, a single mother who suffered 55 per cent burns and died late Saturday night, leaving behind two school-going children. Another worker, Roshani Umathe, who had suffered 75 per cent burns and a fractured forearm, died on Sunday while undergoing treatment.
Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement)
Professional Background & Expertise
Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express
Experience: Started working in 2016
Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region.
Key focus areas include:
Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools.
Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights.
Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion.
Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur.
Education & Credentials
Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes:
MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University)
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University)
Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology
Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights
Recent Notable Coverage
Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability:
Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions.
Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response.
Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions.
Signature Beat
Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety.
Contact & Follow
X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar
Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com
... Read More
