The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has shown their concern over the storage of ammonium nitrate, the chemical behind the Beirut explosion and directed Customs and field formations across the country to immediately verify and confirm that any hazardous and explosive material lying in ware house and ports in India meets the safety measures. They have also been asked to ensure that it presents no danger to life and property.
J Siva Sankar Reddy, Joint Chief Inspector Factories for Visakhapatnam said that the cargo firm Sravan Shipping Services Private Limited has been storing 18,800 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate at their Chukkavanipalem godown in Visakhapatnam. However, there is no clarity on what grade of chemical this is, as there are different grades including explosive and fertiliser grade
