In light of the recent explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) on Thursday has ordered the Customs to immediately verify and confirm within 48 hours that any hazardous and explosive materials lying in warehouses and ports across the country meets all safety and fire standards and presents no danger to life and property.
“This precautionary step has been taken in view of the recent incident of an explosion in a foreign country caused by such material.”
~ CBIC
.@nsitharamanoffc @FinMinIndia pic.twitter.com/ID6CyNbNsr
— CBIC (@cbic_india) August 6, 2020
The advisory also followed reports that 740 tonnes of annomium nitrate were stored at the Chennai Port. These reports, however, were refuted by an official who said the consignment was removed from the port long back.
The Beirut Port explosion, which took the lives of at least 135 persons and left thousands injured, has also provided a major blow to the food supply chain of a country that was already reeling under the COVID pressure.
The Lebanese authorities have said that the cause of the blast was Ammonium Nitrate, an odourless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertilizer.
