Joint Inquiry Finds Major Safety Gaps in Greater Noida Electronics Facility

A joint fact‑finding team comprising the assistant director of the I L G I N Electronics plant and labour‑enforcement officials released a detailed report on the July 4 fire that devastated the Greater Noida facility. The report highlights a series of serious safety deficiencies that led to the loss of two fire‑fighters, several severe injuries, and a complete shutdown of production under the Factories Act, 1948.

Key findings include: • The fire originated in the first‑floor aging test zone at roughly 03:10 a.m., igniting PU roofing, steel trusses, beams and columns. • Structural integrity has been compromised; water used during extinguishing has further weakened steel members, raising the risk of a partial or total collapse. • The collapse of an external brick wall resulted in the death of two fire‑fighters and serious injuries to three others. • Absence of a functional smoke‑exhaust system and uncontrolled water seepage into the ground floor and basement have jeopardised electrical panels, cables, PLCs, and servo drives. • Continued operation of machinery could induce vibrations that might trigger structural failure, secondary fire or electrical incidents.

In response, the administration issued an immediate prohibition on all production, machinery operation, and electrical activity within the plant. The order mandates a full suite of safety assessments: structural audit, machine risk assessment, fire‑risk assessment, electrical safety audit, non‑destructive testing, foundation analysis, floor‑load testing and seismic evaluation, all to be performed by an accredited agency.

The plant may resume operations only after the audit reports are submitted, corrective actions are verified, and explicit permission is granted by the competent authority. Any violation of the order will be met with severe legal action under the Factories Act.