Evicted roadside eateries resume operations near Kollam District Hospital's oxygen plant

Kollam: The roadside eateries (thattukadas) operating near the oxygen plant of the district hospital continue to pose a grave safety threat. The city risks a potential tragedy if a fire were to break out in this sensitive zone.

Although these eateries were evicted three weeks ago due to safety concerns, they have since returned and resumed operations, defying the strict norm that prohibits fire or smoke near an oxygen plant.

The use of cooking gas and kerosene poses additional dangers to the hospital’s medicine storage centre and sensitive machinery. The risk is compounded by the presence of diesel-powered generators, which consume up to 5,000 litres of fuel.

The police have submitted three separate reports highlighting the dangers posed by the eateries in this area. These reports also noted that the eateries obstruct ambulance access to the hospital.

Following reports from the fire safety officer, sub-collector, factories and boilers inspector, and other security agencies, the district collector ordered their eviction on July 7. The eviction was carried out under the supervision of the Corporation Secretary on July 9.

However, the eateries quickly returned, operating under the protection of an interim stay from the court. It is alleged that local authorities failed to adequately present the safety risks to the court, resulting in the stay order.

Critics argue that simply removing cooking gas cylinders does not amount to a proper eviction. There are also accusations that neither the Food Safety Department nor the Corporation’s Health Wing conducts inspections of these illegal eateries.

Residents have voiced strong demands for immediate action, stating that the presence of these eateries threatens the safety of patients, their bystanders, and even passers-by.

Even a minor spark can trigger a disaster
According to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Act, no fire, cooking gas, related equipment, public transport, or smoking is permitted within three metres of an oxygen plant. As oxygen accelerates combustion, even a small spark can escalate into a catastrophic incident. Adding to the danger, plastic buckets and other flammable items sold near the hospital further increase the potential impact of a fire.