Ansar Ahmad’s cold storage was operating without licence, Probe Finds
A cold storage facility in Phaphamau, where four labourers lost their lives after the front portion of the structure collapsed, was found to be operating without mandatory registration under the Factories Act, officials revealed following a detailed inquiry.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a section of the building suddenly gave way, burying four workers under the debris and injuring around a dozen others.
The cold storage is owned by Ansar Ahmad, a former minister during the Samajwadi Party government.
According to officials, the unit had been functioning without obtaining the required registration and licence under the Factories Act. Authorities had earlier issued notices to the owner, directing him to complete the mandatory legal formalities.
However, these notices were allegedly ignored, and the cold storage continued to operate without approval.
As a result, a legal case had also been filed against the owners in 2025 for non-compliance with statutory requirements.
Following the incident, District Magistrate Manish Kumar Varma ordered an inquiry and constituted a committee headed by ADM (Finance and Revenue) Vineeta Singh to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
The committee’s findings revealed serious irregularities in the functioning of the cold storage unit.
In a report submitted by Deputy Director of Factories Kamal Kishore Pandey to the ADM (Finance and Revenue), it was stated that the facility had been operating illegally without the mandatory registration prescribed under the Factories Act.
The inquiry committee included Deputy Labour Commissioner Sumit Kumar, Assistant Labour Commissioner Sanjay Lal, Assistant Director of Factories (Varanasi region) Navdeep Kumar Srivastava, and Labour Enforcement Officer Sachin Dwivedi.
The report noted that the cold storage employed 22 workers, including seven staff members and 15 loaders.
Since registration and licensing were compulsory under the law, notices had been sent to the operators both earlier and again through the post when previous communications were not acknowledged.
Despite repeated warnings, the owner failed to secure the necessary licence, prompting authorities to initiate legal proceedings last year.
Officials also stated that the cold storage was examined as part of a government initiative aimed at strengthening industrial infrastructure in line with the broader target of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy.
During the inspection process, several deficiencies were found, including the absence of a structural fitness certificate, which had been sought from the owner but was never submitted.
Sources indicated that authorities are now considering the complete demolition of the remaining structure, as the damaged building continues to pose a serious safety risk.
Meanwhile, the Horticulture Department has written to the District Magistrate seeking permission to remove the remaining sacks of potatoes stored inside the facility, as rescue operations continue.
A significant quantity of stored potatoes has reportedly been contaminated by ammonia gas leakage, making them hazardous and unfit for use.
Officials further revealed that the cold storage unit had remained non-operational for nearly ten years and resumed functioning only in 2023.
The incident has raised serious concerns regarding regulatory oversight, industrial safety compliance, and enforcement of legal provisions designed to prevent such tragedies.
