44 days on, Gulzar Houz fire probe panel awaits direction; another formed for Sangareddy blast

More than six weeks after a devastating fire at Gulzar Houz near the Charminar here claimed the lives of 17 members of a single family, there is no word about the official investigation. An announcement was made on May 20 about the formation of a six-member high-level committee. But more than a month later, neither a report has been submitted nor have formal directives been issued by the government.

The committee was expected to investigate the incident, assess departmental lapses, and recommend safety measures. It comprised Director General of Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Y. Nagi Reddy, Commissioner of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation R.V. Karnan, Commissioner of Hyderabad City Police C.V. Anand; Chairman and Managing Director of Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited Musharraf Faruqui; Commissioner of Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency A.V. Ranganath and Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty.

As per a public statement issued by Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on the day of the committee’s formation, the report was to be submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and followed by a review meeting involving Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and senior officials.

However, senior officials confirmed that no Government Order was issued, and no communication issued to the committee members. “Since no formal instructions were received, no official action has been taken. There have been informal discussions, but no structured effort or report has followed,” an official said, seeking anonymity.

“Although the announcement was made, no official communication ever followed from the government,” said another official.

A fresh committee has been formed following a deadly blast at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. in Pashamylaram industrial area on Monday. The explosion, which killed at least 36 workers and injured several others, triggered immediate government response and the announcement of a high-level probe.

The Chief Minister announced the formation of a five-member committee to probe the Sangareddy industrial disaster. The panel comprises the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Labour), Principal Secretary (Health) and Additional Director General of Police (Fire Services).

The committee will not only investigate the underlying causes of the blast but also submit a report recommending preventive measures to avoid recurrence of such industrial tragedies.