Vizag gas leak: Andhra Pradesh High Court takes suo moto cognizance of the incident, directs State to take all necessary mitigating steps:

CORAM: HONORABLE CHIEF JUSTICE SRI JITENDRA KUMAR MAHESWARI   AND
HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE LALITHA KANNEGANTI

SUO MOTU WP (PIL) NO: 112 OF 2020.
Case title: In re. Poisonous gas leakage in Visakhapatnam
Versus
The state of Andhra Pradesh and other’s.

Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ, order or direction, in the nature of Mandamus, or any other appropriate writ calling for the records relating to the incident of leakage of poisonous gas from LG Polymers factory at Visakhapatnam at about 2.30 a.m.the intervening night of 06.5.2020/07.05.2020, to direct the Respondents to take all necessary steps for saving the lives of the people in and around the said factory, to provide all necessary medical treatment to the persons who are admitted into various hospitals and to provide necessary facilities to the persons.

It has come to knowledge that the said factory produce polymers by use of a chemical gas which is known as “Styrene”, which was leaked out. The said chemical is also known as ethenyl benzene, vinyl benzene and phenylethene which is an organic compound with chemical formula of C6H5CH=CH2. By the leakage of the gas and its inhalation is dangerous to the life and health of the common citizen.

The Styrene being dangerous substance, is notified under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 as per the Rules known as Chemical Accident (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules 1996, Part-Il in List of hazardous and toxic substances.

“It is a matter of inquiry and assessment that the provisions of the said Rules have been observed or not.”

Andhra Prahesh High Court.

The Court said that in addition to medical, treatment for the persons, adequate nutrition and food to the citizens particularly children and women forms a matter of concern for the Court. It is informed that the Central Government has directed to send the NDRF teams from the States of Gauhati, Goa and Daman, and Diu to the State Government to take adequate steps. At the same time, a team of experts to study environmental impact is also directed with a further direction that the State be Authorities shall provide adequate medical facilities to the affected victims by indulgence of the State Government in local hospitals.

The Central Government has issued certain directions Today, itself including the Dos, Don’ts and Precautions which are required to be careful followed by the State Government.

Sri Y.V. Ravi Prasad, learned Senior Counsel is appointed as matter to assist the Court.

With the aforesaid, we postpone the hearing on 20.05.2020. Let the action taken report be made available on the said date.

By Aman Pandey of Law College Dehradun