These amendments are based on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of approximately 140 people in Beirut’s bombing last year. Nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate were stored in Beirut port for six years and detonated in August 2020, causing death and damage.

Based on the lessons learned from the fatal explosion in Beirut that killed approximately 140 people, the government revised the ammonium nitrate rules to curb the theft, introduced fire protection regulations and improved methods of handling and storing the chemical. Nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate were stored in Beirut port for six years and detonated in August 2020, causing death and damage. Sumita Dawra, the additional secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Domestic Trade Promotion (DPIIT), said that the rules related to five main areas-static and mobile pressure vehicles, calcium carbide, ammonium nitrate, gas cylinders, petroleum and explosives-were reviewed. Lessons learned from Beirut's ammonium nitrate explosion. She said that it is necessary to study rules to improve safety so that such incidents do not occur in India. She said that in order to curb the theft of ammonium nitrate, regulations have been made that this chemical can only be imported in bags, as this will help reduce the port’s handling of bulk chemicals and improve safety. "Sufficient fire-fighting facilities and shelters have been provided for security personnel," she told reporters here. She added that the ammonium nitrate received at the port now needs to be removed/transferred to a nearby storage depot located 500 meters outside the port area. By rationalizing the space and quantity requirements, the storage capacity of hazardous chemicals in small warehouses has been improved. In addition, the rules have been modified to allow auctions of seized ammonium nitrate batches to ensure safe and fast disposal. Dawra also stated that the amendments include the provision of adequate firefighting facilities in storage and processing areas, improving the floors of storage and processing areas, and providing usable auctions and processing of seized ammonium nitrate in case it is not suitable for use, and the code also stipulates A safe distance from the port area. “In order to facilitate the convenience of doing business, it is now allowed to transfer ammonium nitrate from one location to another of the same licensee. The rules have been amended to exclude the requirement for stevedores (organizations that handle ship loading and unloading),” she said. The processing time (including inquiries, decision approval or rejection) of applications for "certificate of no objection" from the regional administration or mine safety director has also been shortened from six months to three months. Regarding the Calcium Carbide (Revised) Rules in 2021, the additional secretary informed that in order to reduce the burden of compliance, PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization) has increased the validity period of chemical storage permits from three years to ten years. In addition, the rules also provide for online fee payment facilities. In order to monitor the calcium carbide storage site, the geographic map of the site has been included in the rules and will be provided to the relevant state and central authorities. Speaking further about the 2021 "Static and Mobile Pressure Vessel (Unfired) (Revised) Rules", she said that she has made amendments to introduce the concept of third-party inspection agencies to carry out certification, testing, inspection and inspection-related work. Conduct safety audits on licensed premises. In order to increase the number of qualified personnel for testing and certification, the guidelines for minimum experience requirements have been reduced from ten years to five years. She said: “The rules have now included provisions that allow the transportation of cryogenic compressed gases such as oxygen, argon, nitrogen, and liquefied natural gas in ISO containers within the country.” This will help transport liquid oxygen from surplus areas to shortage areas. Promote the multimodal transportation (road, rail and waterway) of these gases, reduce transportation costs and time. 

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