At a time when the construction works are going on at a brisk pace in Amaravati, the capital region of Andhra Pradesh, a series of fire accidents in the recent past has taken the Chandrababu Naidu government by surprise.
At around 11 pm on Monday, there was a major fire accident near Rayapudi, where pipes stored by Megha Engineering Company Ltd for capital construction works caught fire, sending up thick plumes of smoke.
Local residents and company staff alerted authorities, following which five fire tenders and police teams rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after considerable effort. Sources, however, said damage was extensive as costly pipes were burnt to ashes.
This incident comes close on the heels of a similar fire near Velagapudi a few days ago, where HDPE pipes worth several crores belonging to another infrastructure firm were gutted.
The police authorities are examining whether the incidents are linked. State home minister Vangalapudi Anitha raised concern over a possible sabotage and ordered a comprehensive investigation into a series of fire incidents in Amaravati.
Speaking to reporters, the minister indicated that the fire accidents might not be accidental, but there could be a conspiracy behind them.
She pointed to the grand groundbreaking ceremony of the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant in Anakapalli district earlier in the day, stating that “certain elements unable to digest the development may have resorted to setting fire to infrastructure in the capital.”
The minister recalled past instances where alleged attempts were made to disrupt Amaravati’s development, including incidents of arson targeting agricultural assets such as banana plantations during earlier phases of the capital’s construction.
Police, she said, are probing the incidents from all possible angles.
“Any conspiracy against Amaravati will not be tolerated,” Anitha warned.