India’s reluctance to learn from tragedies still continues. Not a single lesson has been learnt from the Bhopal gas tragedy, despite the fact that till date, it is one of the most severe industrial disasters the world has ever witnessed. Recent gas leak in Visakhapatnam, in which 11 persons have died and over thousands have been injured, stands as a testimony to this fact. Just as what happened in Bhopal 36 years ago, in Vizag too, negligence on the part of the law enforcing agencies caused the accident. The similarities do not end here. It is highly probably that similar to the Union Carbide officials, the company officials in LG plant also will be allowed to go scot free. Our authorities will never show any interest in punishing them. Moreover, no efforts will be made to prevent such accidents in chemical plants in future. All that the deceased families and affected persons will get is mere compensation. But can money buy everything?
Evidences are galore that the Visakhapatnam disaster was waiting to happen. The port city is no stranger to such accidents. Official records show that during the last six years, over 40 such incidents took place in Vizag. It may be mentioned here that with the proximity to the sea port, this city, over the years, has been developed as a major industrial hub with nearly 1000 of companies operating. What is strange is that despite the presence of high number of industries, total number of staffs in Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board is just 124, well below the sanctioned strength? Even after such a high number of gas leaks occurred, the authorities have always ‘found’ every safety measure in place whenever any inspection was made in the factories that deal with toxic chemicals. It clearly proves that in our country such certificates can be brought easily. Here, recollection of two more disasters can be made. One took place in our national capital. Within days of getting a fire safety certificate, a devastating fire at Usher cinema hall claimed hundreds of lives. Similarly, a private hospital in Kolkata turned in to an inferno shortly after getting clearance from fire department. We may have made progress in ease of doing business, but our track record in law enforcing is pathetic to say the least.
The above mentioned facts have made it clear that a strong nexus between the owners and corrupt officials exists in India. The unholy and illegal understanding between the two is claiming a number of lives each year. Here, a specific mention should be made about politicians being involved in this racket. There are plenty of allegations that political bosses come to the scene after every such mishap to protect the offenders. While no country can survive without modern industries, time has now come to revamp the surveillance system, so that industrial disasters can be prevented. Third party intervention in safety matters can also be used. A clause can be made compulsory while giving permission to set up a factory to appoint an international firm which will inspect the plants at regular interval to examine all safety measures. At the same time, the third party should be given the power to recommend punishment for the government official if he or she is found guilty of neglecting duties. Otherwise, industrial disasters will become an everyday affair in India.
