Context
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday gave its nod to the State government following an assurance from the latter that it could incinerate the remaining 40-year-old toxic waste of Bhopal’s defunct Union Carbide factory within 72 days at a private facility in Pithampur
Bhopal gas disaster
• The Bhopal Gas Disaster, one of the world's worst industrial accidents, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• A highly toxic gas, methyl isocyanate (MIC), leaked from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL).
• The leak exposed over 500,000 residents to the gas, leading to immediate fatalities and long-term health complications.
Reasons for the Disaster
• Poor Maintenance: Safety systems, like gas scrubbers and cooling systems, were either non functional or inadequate.
• Negligence: Lack of proper training for workers and failure to follow safety protocols.
• Cost-Cutting Measures: Union Carbide had reduced staff and safety standards to lower operational costs.
• Design Flaws: Faulty plant design increased the risk of gas leaks.
• Storage Issues: Excessive quantities of MIC were stored at the plant, contrary to safety guidelines.
Methyl Isocyanate (CH3NCO)
• Volatile, colorless liquid that is extremely flammable, and potentially explosive when mixed with air.
• Reacts with water, giving off heat and producing methylamine and carbon dioxide.
• Liquid and vapor are toxic when inhaled, ingested, or exposed to the eyes or skin.
Initiatives taken to tackle Chemical accidents
• NDMA guidelines on Chemical Disaster Management: Inspection System by Regulatory Bodies, Establish Information networking system with states and districts on priority basis etc.
• Explosives Act, 1884: To control manufacture, possession, use, transportation and importation of Explosives.
• Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Response) Rules 1996.
UPSC / PCM - 2026 / NEW REGULAR BATCH STARTS ON SEP-5, 2025 
