Safety Thoughts, News and Information

Nuclear power - manpower needs

2026-10-13T12:01:10.690+05:30

Manpower needs for nuclear power

Two die in a toilet

2026-09-30T15:50:59.639+05:30

Death of two persons in the early hours in a public toilet, Mumbai

One detained after two youths die due to suspected chemical suffocation inside public toilet in Mumbai.

https://share.google/C7vDh3Q0tmbovGrdk

Please see the above links.

Cooperation among personnel of operation and other teams

2026-09-29T13:08:25.254+05:30

A facility will have multiple teams working to achieve the organization's objectives.

R&D, maintenance, safety, quality control and assurance, environment management, fire services, purchase, stores, transport, security, administration, accounts, etc are the groups that have to work together with operational teams to work for collective target of production meeting quality, without causing damage or affecting workers, public, environment, property. This alone can lead to existence of the organization. Else, a day will come to shut the operations and lock the doors.

Everyone should remember this. No one can work independently like an ostrich, ignoring all other intertwined issues.

Nobody should bulldoze others. All should come to same platform so as to meet organizational goals by complying with all applicable requirements including legal. "Ignorance of law is not an excuse", is the most commonly heard statement. No escape from this.

Some will get happiness and overwhelming pleasure by violations. They think that they fooled safety personnel, regulators,.. They boast of how they MANAGED these persons and shown who is the boss in their domain.

Some others do all nonsense, without telling.

Making wrong things undetected or not told will only increase confidence levels leading to more to follow.

Sound or no sound, these type of narrow minded people, suddenly become scared when investigation starts. They try to point finger on others. They want credit but not accountability.

Silence is the biggest sound. The time between doing wrong thing and its exposure is the silent or lull period, before things go wrong and make big impact on others.

We are not authorized to cause damage to persons and environment. If not able to meet, then, other means are to be explored and followed so as to comply. We may think, nobody is watching, but, when something goes wrong, all skeletons hidden will come out.

Somany examples are there in the history. Let us learn. Everybody can’t escape.

Contractor loses consciousness and dies during work in a refinery

2026-09-24T15:15:49.176+05:30

A contractor dies during work in a refinery after becoming unconscious suddenly.

Please go through the information in the following link.

https://www.spaglaw.com/blog/2026/09/contractor-dies-while-working-at-st-paul-park-refinery/

The reason for losing consciousness suddenly can be either from exposure to toxic environment or health conditions or combination of both.

Following work to permit system helps to review scope of work, preparedness, training, health conditions, JHA, SOP, supervision, etc.

In my organization where I worked before superannuation this year April, we check medical fitness of the persons as required for each work engaged.

Refrigerator blast causes four deaths, two seriously injured

2026-09-17T19:13:03.931+05:30

A refrigerator explodes in Belgavi, Karnataka state, India in the midnight leading to fire, four deaths and another two seriously injured. https://youtu.be/8OesXUZ-bas?si=se8F5nmuYqvNsJUy

The occupants apparently brought the idol of Lord Ganesha for festival celebration, decorated with lights, and slept near refrigerator. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/belagavi-refrigerator-blast-family-killed-karnataka-10878368/

The refrigerant used can be flammable. Otherwise also, the gas will expand if it is exposed to heat, causing pressure rise and leads tp physical explosion.

Clogged condenser coils (we can’t see clogging with naked eyes) behind refrigerator can trap compressed gas, results in pressure rise and explosion. Short circuit can lead to fires, explosion of compressor or compressed gas lines.

Refrigerator is an essential item used by everyone.

It can happen to any refrigerator. Search in internet on refrigerator functioning

https://youtu.be/JUQ2Aw8W3BI?si=dzZ6FdsgkWPH5m1d and reasons for possible explosion

https://commercialfridgerepairs.com.au/what-causes-a-fridge-explosion-how-to-prevent-it/ makes us to be cautious in placing of refrigerator to keep proper gap without obstruction between the unit and wall (six inch or more), be watchful for heating, have proper earthing, not to keep hot sources like lamps/candles/flames ..., have proper wiring, carry regular maintenance checks atleast ince in a year, or as advised by OEM / supplier/ maintenance experts for the item used.

Economic Times - Tata Steel scaling up AI, connected workforce systems to boost industrial safety

2026-09-13T19:31:05.583+05:30

Tata Steel is scaling up AI, connected workforce systems to boost industrial safety https://share.google/UaQc7m9hhqzO4fvxa

https://m.economictimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/steel/tata-steel-scaling-up-ai-connected-workforce-systems-to-boost-industrial-safety/articleshow/134064980.cms?shem=dsdf,sharefoc,agadiscoversdl,,sh/x/discover/m1/4

Effort by Tata Steel management to use AI for improving safety in workplace is worth emulating by industrial organizations in a manner appropriate to nature of operations, work controls and safety performance.

AI, as I understand, analyzes the available inputs / data, feed to analyse and to chalk out suitable course of action. Hence, accuracy of all data inputs needs to be ensured so as to use the same for analysis of fresh data.

It is better to have systems that rely less on human intervention. Lesser the human interface, better is the safety. However, monitoring and review periodically is required to confirm that the setup is functioning as intended and there will not be any surprises.

One may start on a small scale like execution in a section, understand, see the outcome and proceed further.

Dummy runs / trials are to be made before going for full scale implementation.

Regulators too may develop a code or guide to give a direction to organizations for effective implementation.

Why do we have hazards, what to do?

2026-09-10T07:11:33.514+05:30

No workplace will be free from hazards. However best may be an organization, still one can find something that can cause some damage, to persons/environment/property.

What are the reason(s)?

Nothing new. Everybody knows. Unknowingly or otherwise we are the reason.

We are preoccupied mentally or physically. Issues at home cause major distraction. Health, education, career, property matters, marriage etc of family members or self; traffic during commute, vehicle breakdown, etc make us to keep thinking even at workplace, thereby overlooking workplace issues.

At work, distractions / stress can be from superiors, peers, subordinates, unions, in addition to plant activities.

We feel like a football kicked by everyone, thereby not able to do a job without break.

We are human beings and these are unavailable.

It is easy to tell, don't bring domestic issues to work and don't carry office problems to home. May be, only very few can practice this. In majority of the cases, quite impossible.

Some other reasons for hazards are, not having knowledge, not having resources, procedural delays in tendering and placing orders, OR, ignorance and lethargy.

So, there will be hazards, not noticed, not attended for whatever reason, a few are listed above.

What to do?

Again, it is already known.

Have inspections, individually and with teams. Daily, weekly, monthly, ...

Develop reporting culture. Don't blame the person reporting the issues. Instead, encourage and thank them with a pat, appreciation in Shopfloor, during functions having huge gathering. It will motivate everyone. This way, atleast someone will identify issues. Then, action is to be taken for addressing both for correction and also on root causes.

Have checklists for each and every equipment, activity including general or common areas. Let it be communicated, displayed and followed. Let managers review implementation and present reports in management meetings.

Similarly for behaviors. There is no end to behavioral actions exhibited by persons. Training and supervision help for safe productivity.

Some other actions are, review of design, layout, process inputs and outputs, parameters; change modification procedures, emergency management, employee orientation, training and retraining.

Both O&M and safety personnel shall review and monitor.

Keep an eye on what is happening in other organizations, take lessons and implement.

Keep in touch with vendors to know what is latest and is useful to improve safety and productivity.

Nobody in the management sanctions only production or only safety.

There should not be any damage to property or persons or environment.

Production with safety is the need. Definitely safe work place leads to better production.

This should be conveyed to everyone in Shopfloor meetings with data. Better to use organization data. If not available, use data from others.

We can’t escape law. This awareness too needs understanding by everyone.

Involve workmen (regular and outsourced) in all activities. They provide best inputs and they are the ones executing. If they understood and followed, managers can concentrate on growth of organization.

Hazards from household chemical handling

2026-08-18T13:06:36.105+05:30

Please go through following news item on the title.

https://en.sedaily.com/culture/2026/08/17/household-bleach-turns-toxic-in-seconds-experts-warn

Any chemical is good when handled properly or turns to monster, when procedures are not followed. This is the basic statement hammered into persons after joining any organization.

Not only about chemical, but any thing used let it be electricity, material movement, coffee vending machines, stairs, ....

Many times, already all of us would have got some injury, minor or major.

Safety starts at home. And is required everywhere. We are not mechanical items to repair or replace parts or in total.

Elevator/lift accident-court judgment on accountability

2026-07-31T10:43:21.426+05:30

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/elevator-supreme-court-sc-ruling-raw-vipin-handa-manufacturer-maker-owner-operator-lift-safety-passenger-death-101785352829350-amp.htm

Please go through above link.

A key point to anyone is why voltage stabiliser is not part of lift, if it is considered as critical observation by manufacturer as a reason for accident. BIS Standard specification should include this instead of as an option.

NOT ONLY FOR LIFTS BUT ALL THOSE THAT ENDANGER SAFETY OF PERSONS, ENVIRONMENT AND PROPERTY.

A Landmark Supreme Court Judgment - Every Lift User Should Know.

Millions of Indians use elevators every day—in apartment complexes, offices, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels and public buildings. We enter a lift with complete trust that it will safely carry us to our destination. That trust, the Supreme Court of India has now emphatically held, is not merely an expectation but a legal guarantee.

In a landmark judgment delivered on 30 July 2026, the Supreme Court has significantly strengthened the rights of lift users and fixed responsibility for lift accidents in a clear and practical manner.

Why this judgment is important

India’s cities are growing vertically, making lifts an indispensable part of modern life. Every day, crores of people rely on elevators without having any control over their design, maintenance or operation.

Recognising this reality, the Supreme Court observed that once a person enters a lift, he or she entrusts personal safety entirely to others. Therefore, those responsible for the lift owe passengers the highest standard of care.

The Court’s Landmark Ruling

The Court has ruled that in the event of a lift accident, responsibility is jointly shared by:

The lift manufacturer or installer.

The maintenance agency responsible for servicing the lift.

The owner or management of the building where the lift is installed.

The Court described a lift as being comparable to a “common carrier”, meaning that it carries passengers and therefore must meet a very high standard of safety.

A major relief for victims

Perhaps the most significant part of the judgment is this:

A victim or the victim’s family does not have to determine who was actually at fault before seeking compensation.

Instead, the injured person—or the family in case of death—may claim full compensation from any one of the responsible parties. It is then for those parties to settle their respective shares of liability among themselves._

This removes a major hurdle that victims previously faced, where different agencies often blamed one another, delaying justice.

The case behind the judgment

The ruling arose from a tragic accident in 2003 at the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) headquarters in New Delhi.

Former diplomat Vipin Handa became trapped when a lift malfunctioned. During rescue operations, the lift suddenly moved, fatally crushing him while eleven others escaped safely.

The Supreme Court found that the elevator had a history of repeated defects. Despite knowing about these problems, adequate safety measures were not taken and the lift was never declared unsafe for use. The manufacturer argued about cautioning the user department for installation of voltage stabiliser due to fluctuations in voltage, and not done by user department, which was not acceptable to honourable Court.

The Court upheld compensation of over ₹3 crore, together with interest, for the victim’s family. It apportioned liability as follows:

- Lift company – 70%

- Maintenance/supervising engineering agency – 25%

- Building user/management – 5%

Lessons for Housing Societies and Building Managers

This judgment should serve as a wake-up call.

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), apartment associations, commercial establishments and institutional buildings should ensure:

- Regular preventive maintenance by authorised agencies.

- Immediate attention to every complaint regarding unusual sounds, jerks or door malfunction.

- Proper maintenance records and inspection logs.

- Annual safety inspections as required by applicable laws.

- Immediate shutdown of any lift showing signs of unsafe operation until repairs are completed.

- Adequate emergency communication systems inside lifts.

- Training of security and maintenance staff in safe rescue procedures.

Ignoring complaints or postponing repairs can now have serious legal as well as financial consequences.

*What every lift user should remember.*

As users, we also have responsibilities:

- Never overload a lift beyond its rated capacity.

- Do not force doors open or try to exit a lift stuck between floors.

- Use the alarm button or emergency communication system if trapped.

- Wait for trained personnel during rescue.

- Report even minor irregularities such as unusual noises, jerks or misalignment immediately.

Small warning signs often precede major accidents.

A Judgment that Strengthens Public Safety.

The Supreme Court has sent a powerful message: passenger safety cannot be compromised.

The era of manufacturers, maintenance contractors and building owners shifting blame onto one another is over. Every stakeholder connected with a lift has a legal duty to ensure that it remains safe throughout its service life.

For millions of Indians who step into elevators every day without a second thought, this judgment is a welcome affirmation that the law stands firmly on the side of passenger safety.

Awareness is the first step towards prevention. Share this information with your family, friends, neighbours and Resident Welfare Associations. It may one day save a life.

Flirting with disaster - reproduced post

2026-07-29T08:58:06.452+05:30

Today is Hindu festival, Guru Purnima, an auspicious day to thank mentors, guides, and teachers who lead us from darkness to light.

We have teachers everywhere in different forms, not necessarily from educational institutions. Starts with our first Gurus as our parents. Success or failure teaches a lesson.

Every incident let it be nearmiss, minor or major incident/injury gives us a lesson. Every person suffered is a person with knowledge and wisdom. It is for others to learn and do better.

O.P.Kharbanda, in a book stated, "already somebody paid tuition fee, let us learn freely".

Few years ago, I purchased a book titled, "Flirting with disaster - why accidents are not accidental" authored by Marc Gerstein with

Michael Ellsberg. After going through, I prepared an extract for my use in workplace. I also posted it in my blog. Same as a link is reproduced below.

https://www.safework.co.in/2011/11/flirting-with-disaster-some-notes.html?m=1

But, one should read the book, end to end, to understand, enrich knowledge and practice. As we read again and again, our thought process will lead us to understand better.

Collapse of tunnel under construction causes deaths

2026-07-27T13:09:39.370+05:30

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/india-tunnel-collapse-kills-22-rcna588840

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80nv79204eo

https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/sikkim-tunnel-disaster/

https://youtu.be/Fda7jULVBG4?si=WASFFAEH8Y9YEKNY

Please go through above links for information.

Explosion of flammable methane gas released from rocks in the tunnel under construction is supposed to be a probable reason. If that is so, however small or big a tunnel work or its usage is, there is a need for continuous monitoring for flammable games and taking action for ventilation, flameproof fittings, tools, equipment; spark arrestors, restricted entry etc, the way it is done in mines

No accident doesn't mean everything is safe

2026-07-25T15:29:38.473+05:30

As the heading goes, many times plant personnel will be under the false impression that they took all measures and thus no accidents. Or, no nearmiss incidents.

But, honest personnel on introspection can definitely question themselves why is it so. They look around and find so many unsafe situations and wonder why nothing happened inspite of those situations present.

Truly speaking, this is the case everywhere. I feel sorry when I come across statements in the media boasting about improvements and apparent reduction in incidents even though the ground situation remains same.

This is all about what one can conclude from visible unsafe situations.

We should look beyond. There will be many invisible conditions that got potential for accidents. As and when it happens, consequences will be severe.

What to do?

Periodical inspection of structural components, preventive maintenance, repairs/replacement will help to overcome such happenings. Engage an expert team for this. Encourage plant personnel to report their observations without hesitation. Take action on reported observations, after review and give feedback to the person. It will make them proud and do much better.

Site selection - wrong choice

2026-07-22T10:12:23.410+05:30

Someone thought of having a bore well, but sunk it in a municipal sewerage drain. Don't know whether, he/she could get water or not, as it is abandoned. Whether permission was obtained from concerned authorities is doubtful.

Incident reporting-method of information collection

2026-07-20T09:54:29.514+05:30

Obtaining correct information during the incident investigation from concerned persons including witnesses and management is vital. Many times, it will be very difficult due to noncooperation. The main reason is the fear of being implicated and possible punishment in the form of censure, transfers, loss of pay rise, loss of promotion, etc and rarely termination and legal punishment. Information also will not come when the person conducting investigation is rude. Also, field personnel are apprehensive of rebuke from their managers for passing the Information as everyone in the line tries to save their skin from possible future actions. It is really a detective job.

Persons talked need to be assured of no action as the sole purpose of investigation is NOT FAULT FINDING BUT ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS to take corrective and preventive actions. It can be due to issue of design, layout, equipment, instrumentation, procedures, qualification, skills, training, behavior,etc.

Unless the reasons are criminal, which need to be addressed sternly, all other reasons are to be dealt internally by involving everyone, and monitored.

5 die in underground water reservoir cleaning

2026-07-14T00:22:44.025+05:30

https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/07/12/lapalang-toxic-gas-leak-leaves-3-workers-2-rescuers-dead/

During cleaning og underground water tank having 10 meter depth, a diesel pump was being used for dewatering. The carbon monoxide CO emissions caused death of 5 persons. CO is color less and odorless. Molecular weight is similar to air. CO got more affinity (300 times) to blood compared to oxygen.

Generally, persons will be careful during the cleaning of septic tanks and hazards of water tanks are not considered much. Due to bacterial action, rusting, oxygen deficiency is expected. However, use of diesel pump in the tank led to emissions and exposed the persons working inside leading to their deaths. With colourless and odorless CO, they will not be even aware of the hazard. In industrial jobs, hazard assessment would have revealed the issues. Being a residential area work, it appears this assessment didn't take place.

Regulations for compulsory use of self contained breathing air sets, buddy system, gas monitors, easy access and egress, ventilation, multi gas detectors, location of dewatering pumps outside can help to save workers.

Urabanization - problem of domestic waste

2026-07-11T21:27:07.991+05:30

I resumed my walking after my retirement from service two months ago. Instead of doing walking in parks, I am going around different streets, lanes, etc. It is very sad to see dumping of different types of waste generated from domestic and shops. As my walking areas are in residential colonies, industrial waste is not seen thrown around. People are throwing out / dumping all types of wastes. Though, the municipal authorities are collecting waste from identified storage locations, there are wastes all along the roads. Sweepers are engaged, but there is a limit to everything. Sweepers can't push heavy items like furniture thrown. There are identified locations for collection of such wastes made by authorities, but common sense is lacking. There are private organizations who pay for wastes like electronics, furniture, vehicles discarded etc. I myself used this service and got paid.

Authorities can display locations, contact numbers, website addresses which help in improving the cleanliness by collecting different wastes. It helps in improving hygiene and thus control spread of diseases.

Another observation is trimmed tree branches kept on road side, causing problems to pedestrians, restricted road width for vehicle movement and breeding of mosquitoes and flies as decay starts. These are trimmed by personnel of electricity department, cable TV, telecom, etc to protect their assets. Municipal authorities should charge them for collection of such debris. It will generate some income.

Body weight reduction

2026-07-04T22:09:04.638+05:30

https://www.safework.co.in/2016/07/reduced-my-weight-from-96-to-76-kg-and.html?m=0

Weight reduction

Ten years ago, I did walking coupled with other measures for reduction of my overweight body (please see above link). After continuing the regime for 2-3 years, I stopped everything. After 6-9 months, my body weight was on the rise. I didn't resume weight control due to increased work, covid period, etc.

Finally, I started walking again two months ago after my retirement from service. My daily walk ranged from 3-4 km to 6-8 km, in single or multiple stretches.

But, I am not following any diet control, except that I stopped taking snacks.

My weight has come down by about 3 kg in these two months to 86 kg.

I will observe myself for improvement and hope for the best.

Parking of vehicles - angular slots are better

2026-06-30T14:38:47.008+05:30

Today, I observed parking of 2-wheelers at 90 degrees in a narrow road limiting the available road. Instead, it could have been at 45 degrees to save space and also allow manoeuvrability.

Google Maps - new feature for fuel efficient routes

2026-06-12T16:29:00.010+05:30

Please see the following link on subject feature.

https://ntvtelugu.com/technology/google-maps-fuel-efficient-routes-feature-save-petrol-diesel-cost-980321.html

To get suggestion on fuel efficient route in Google Maps, go to "settings" in Profile icon, click on "navigation settings", turn on the option called "Prefer fuel-efficient routes".

Road accidents

2026-06-10T13:06:44.964+05:30

Statistics on accidents may help planners and designers to some extent to identify unsafe conditions like road condition, blind curves, unmarked speed brakers, and black spots and take action.

However, it will be difficult to find exact reason when it comes to unsafe acts. We can generalise the unsafe acts like overspeed, overtaking on wrong side, intoxication, road crossing wherever there is a gap or even when green signal is for vehicles, not wearing helmet or seat belt, not switching head lamps or having head lamps with glare blinding opposite side drivers, parking of vehicles at wrong places, etc.

In my experience, road crossing by pedestrians in unsafe manner is the most dangerous activity leading to accidents. Next is unsafe parking of vehicles on the roads and encroachment of roads by, building owners with ramps or gardens or keeping useless materials. Another reason is street hawkers.

Many building owners don't keep parking areas in their premises, let it me residential or commercial space. For maximum rent collection, rooms are made. And, obviously, vehicles will be parked on the roads restricting available road space.

I strongly believe in strict action by removal and auction of such vehicles. This enforcement action will help traffic department to generate revenue while bringing discipline. Also, restrictions on sale and registering of vehicles to such violators for an year should be imposed incapacitating their usage.

For helmet or seatbelt violators, licence shall be canceled for an year and vehicle shall be impounded.

For road crossing in dangerous manner, such persons where identified shall be transported to city outskirts making them to repent for the time lost.

Safety is not about stopping work or use of PPE alone - it is the last job

2026-06-03T16:46:56.596+05:30

If you ask anyone about safety in the plant, many managers state that they have given safety shoes and helmets to their workers. CEOs also talk about issuing PPE only. Production managers see safety officer as a person who does stopping the work, some expect stopping work is not correct, but ask for a solution.

Need for suspension of work doesn't arise unless safety procedures are not followed or safety systems are not in place.

Safety systems means many, depending on the work. It can be, use of tested equipment, relief valves, interlocks, material handling equipment, calibration of instruments, complying to operational process parameters, statutory requirements, operations by authorized personnel, etc.

Safety department should be part of all works right from planning stage, design, fabrication or procurement, erection, commissioning and operation.

Blame game on safety department arises when they are not involved initially and make them responsible for safety lapses at at a later stage. But, who causes safety lapses in the shopfloor. If the life of person is given value by plant, these lapses wouldn't have been continued.

Before a work is suspended by safety officer for a lapse, the same should have been seen and action taken by production manager.

But, conveniently, production personnel ignore and continue the operations. After work is suspended by safety officer, management will be informed with a complaint on safety manager and cover their own lapses. But, what about the likely consequences that could have taken place, if the unsafe work was continued. There are NO DOTS in the timelines that exactly at so and so moment, accidents happen. Nobody can predict exact time of occurrence, but will occur if lapses are not addressed.

Management, if clever enough, analyze the drawbacks in every department and take action. They give due weightage to the harmful incidents prevented in a timely manner by safety officer. As the adage goes, safety is top-down approach. The commitment and authority exhibited by by top management speaks itself in the form of actions by others down below.

Then, in line with Newton's third law, bottom-up actions follow. Shopfloor personnel will be equally committed to follow safety and participate in safety management, report all lapses, discuss and take actions to make workplace better.

Finally, let us remember that ensuring safety is everyone's responsibility. We don't need designation or authority to be vigilant. We have to be alert for our own safety and of others.

Building collapse, 6 deaths, 9 injured

2026-06-02T10:19:21.359+05:30

In a building collapse incident, 6 persons died and 9 persons were injured. Two floors were under construction.

Read the news item in the link.

https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-thane-9weg/20260601/281908779813045

Listening to Professor M M Sharma, the greatest Indian Chemical Engineer

2026-06-01T19:09:39.568+05:30

Professor M M Sharma is a renowned Chemical Engineer from India, a legend, taught several students in Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. Reliance Industries Chief also was his student.

My desertation work in final year Chemical Engineering course in the year 1987-88 was on manufacturing hydrogen from natural gas which was found in KG basin few years before. As a part of this during literature review, I came across several papers in different journals by Professor M M Sharma on CO2 absorption in monoethanol amine (MEA).

During my college days, one of our college professors told us that, "Chemical Engineering is about creating more contact area economically" for chemical processes to proceed.

Last month, after 38 years of working, I retired from government organization. Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend a talk on "Innovations in Chemical Industry" by the Professor and organized by Chemical Engineering Chapter. Never did I imagine that I could see Professor M.M.Sharma in my life.

In his talk, while describing several Iinnovations that have taken place in the last few decades, he stated that, "Wars are destructive, but productive for innovations". Many things came due to necessity during wars.

During the program, we came to know that Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), CSIR, India had contribution to develpping biodegradable plastic in 150-180 days. It's technology was transferred to Greenworksbio Products (GBPL), Hyderabad-based sustainable packaging firm that partnered with IICT to launch 19 commercial bioplastic products, including eco-friendly cutlery and packaging.

The program overall was good and the best part is to see Professor M M Sharma in person.

Mock drills conducted in Telangana state

2026-05-20T17:04:04.879+05:30

Telangana state government conducted mock drills in several districts for scenarios of heavy rains, floods, industrial accidents and forest fires. Objective was to see readiness of various agencies, communication flow, resource management, adequacy of procedures and identification of gaps in the whole process.

It is really great event and kudos to all. Conducting on such large scale requires lot of planning and coordination.

One problem which is generally seen everyday for ambulance and fire tender movement in real emergencies is traffic obstruction. These vehicles are seen struggling to find way to reach destination. Hardly anyone follows traffic lanes with interspersed small vehicles, parking on roads, encroachments, etc. It is near impossible to bring order.

Actions like towing and auction within short period are required. Penalties should be huge including punishments. Only penalty is not sufficient.

One more observation is vehicle parking outside in some of the houses. No offsets are left. In addition, steps/ramps/gardens are made encroaching some part of the road. This will reduce minimum road width required for emergency vehicles. Width shall consider turning requirement also. All such encroachments shall be brought down mercilessly.

In future, authorities may include drills for persons trapped in high rise buildings. Availability of escape and rescue infrastructure shall be made mandatory in all buildings. Power and water supply shall be cut to those with noncompliance.

Avoid going to washroom before leaving the house or office

2026-05-20T16:30:17.768+05:30

The following article is on persons who would go to washroom trying to keep bladder empty before leaving the house, so as to avoid inconvenience while outside.

It appears that this practice makes bladder to give signal for lower volumes even though it can hold larger volumes. This causes frequently visits to washroom even though not required. Same article mentions that this can be reversed by holding the urge.

Link for full article is given below.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/wellness/always-pee-before-leaving-home-a-doctor-says-you-should-stop-heres-why/articleshow/131201594.cms?jd=V2_245726294362892&utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=taboola_news&dc_data=37133852_samsung-news-india&cex=false&geniev41=30635&origin_referral_type=minus_one&response.session=v2_a9c5a44fd5803ab1de4c9b2e55dc6d85_d251537e2f4efa9c2049ef3b87f5f6526d32eb6030712c581ceb67b080b27301_1779273499_1779273499_CNawjgYQ6IxwGI7dkoGbiK-XlgEgASgEMGc4mNEKQISXgARIx9yBBFCm3RVYAWAAaPzZlc_zy9aMdnAAgAEAiAEA&ui=d251537e2f4efa9c2049ef3b87f5f6526d32eb6030712c581ceb67b080b27301&response.id=__1dd46dd916057a72660fdf98200eda0d__867f962e6fc9cc18766cf2864787d272