Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to keep a tab on chemical units

Bangalore: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had ordered all the District Co­mmissioners to survey the industries in their respective districts and examine what chemicals they are using and send a report to the Board, said Dr. Vaman Acharya, KSPCB Chairman.

He was speaking at an event organised by KSPCB on the occasion of Chemical Disaster Prevention Day here on Wednesday.

Dr Acharya said, “We are not granting any permit for hazardous industries in densely populated areas.

Though there aren’t any chemical industries aro­und Bangalore city, however there was one in Yelahanka and we have already sent them a notice. We are not granting any permission to such industries (specifically pharma and chemical industries) in city or even outside the city.”

The Board has formed State level Committee to generate awareness on the effect, preparedness and prevention regarding chemical related disasters.

Referring to 1984 Bhopal tragedy, the country’s worst industrial disaster, he said “It is seen that the National Environment Relief Fund meant for the Bhopal Gas tragedy victims have not yet reached the affected people. In order to tackle such incidents, the State needs to have a public liability office. We at the KSPCB are trying to do safety audits in factories.”

Meanwhile, the State Fire and Emergency Service on their part is doing their bit to raise awareness by organising mock fire drills, but the general public needs to be made aware of such disaster prevention measures.

KL Sudhir, IGP and ADG (Fire and Emergency Services), Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services said, “The city’s population is growing everyday. In order to meet any such disasters, like the Bhopal tragedy we need to have a robust networking of all departments (the police, fire, medical, engineers) and also the general public. The Universities and their Chemistry Department should be involved in such matters.”

The State should also have an emergency telephone directory with all the essential contact numbers that can be used in case of any disaster, he further added.

The Bhopal gas tragedy has been an example right in front of us. The tragedy had left over 20,000 people dead and several homeless. Hence public awareness programmes on disaster prevention on a larger scale is needed, stressed Vijayendra, Joint Director, Department of Factories and Boilers.