Amravati : Public Works Department (PWD) will be conducting a separate inquiry into the fire which killed three infants at Special Newborn Care Unit Intensive Care Unit (SNCU) of District Women’s Hospital, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Monday.
Bawankule also visited private hospitals where 36 newborns were shifted after the fire. The report of the committee constituted to probe the incident will be released on Sept 1. He said Rs 2.73 crore was provided in 2024-25 and over Rs 3 crore in 2025-26 for fire audit and other related works.
Terming the incident as extremely unfortunate, Bawankule said it occurred due to administrative lapses and delay in conducting the fire audit. Rejecting criticism that he delayed his visit to Amravati after the incident, Bawankule said he had been monitoring the situation since the time the incident was reported. Abitkar visited Amravati immediately, extended assistance and announced an expert inquiry committee,” he said.
Addressing a news conference after inspecting the hospital, Bawankule said the PWD inquiry was necessitated as the incident is linked to the hospital’s fire audit. The minister said he discussed the matter with PWD minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, following which it was decided to order a separate probe into PWD-related aspects. “Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said. It is necessary to ascertain how the funds were utilised,” he said. The govt will take steps to strengthen the health system to ensure such incidents do not recur, he said.
“Still, such an incident occurring is a matter of serious concern. “I was in constant touch with the district collector and immediately communicated with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and health minister Prakash Abitkar, seeking necessary assistance.