Army's ammunition depots short of 23 fire fighting trucks, 362 staff

NEW DELHI: Delay in procurement and recruitment has resulted into a shortage of firefighting trucks and personnel in ammunition depots of the army across the country, the government today said.

Ammunition depots of the army across the country face a shortage of 23 firefighting trucks and 362 personnel, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, adding the deficit was due to delay in procurement and recruitment.

He said that though ammunition is stored in a permanent accommodation, due to operational and other exigencies, some ammunition is stored in temporary sheds.

"The only major fire incident in an ammunition depot during last three years has occurred in Central Ammunition Depot, Pulgaon, on May 31, 2016. There were 19 fatal and 17 non-fatal casualties, and the total loss of equipment and stores as per preliminary estimation is approximately Rs 7.90 crore," he said.

On the basis of the recommendations of Court of Inquiry and subsequent deliberations with all stakeholders, the government has sanctioned disposal of all defective segregated mines (Anti-Tank Mines 1A ND) for exudation of TNT at various locations.

The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) will replace or repair the defective ammunition within three months.

The Army Headquarters, in consultation with all stakeholders, will finalise the standard operating procedures for disposal of defective ammunition in a fixed time-frame and for fixing up responsibility for defect and regularisation of loss.