Indicating downward trend in chemical industry accidents, Centre proclaims mitigating deceases in last three years

New Delhi, June 24: "The accidents in chemical industries not only cause damage to the environment, but also the human life”, said Environment Minister Dr Harsh Varshan, further adding that the number of deceases due to accidents in chemical industries have come down by nearly 41 per cent from 2015 to 2018.

 

Addressing the attendees in the national capital at NDMA mock, he indicated a downward trend in occurrence of such accidents. Expressing disquiet further, he informed that the number of injured has significantly gone up from 192 in 2015-16 to 728 in 2017-18.

 

“While the number of deaths due to chemical leakage or accidents in 2015-16 were 66, in 2016-17, there were 90 deaths. In 2017-18, they came down to 39. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the primary responsibility to deal with chemical accident related incidents rests with state governments and union territory administrations,” he added.

 

Laying down the responsibilities of the NDMA, the ministry said it regularly conducts mock exercises for various hazards, including chemical disasters to sensitise the stakeholders regarding preventive and mitigation measures as well as test the efficacy of Disaster Management Plans.

 

"Till date, 88 such mock exercises on chemical have been conducted throughout the country," it added notifying Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 with the objective of preventing chemical accidents from industrial activities and mitigate associated impacts.