Taking up the case suo moto on the Vishakhapatnam gas leak incident, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday ordered LG Polymers to depot Rs.50 crore as interim amount for damage to life. The Green Tribunal also issued notice to Centre, Central Pollution Control Board and formed a six-member committee comprising Justice B Seshasayana Reddy to probe the incident and submit a report before May 18. Meanwhile the Cabinet Secretary headed committed also assessed the relief and rehabilitation on the incident which 11 people were killed and 1,000 exposed to it.
"Having regard to the prima facie material regarding the extent of damage to life, public health and environment, we direct LG Polymers India Pvt Limited to forthwith deposit an initial amount of Rs 50 crore, with the District Magistrate, Vishakhapatnam, which will abide by further orders of this Tribunal. The amount is being fixed having regard to the financial worth of the company and the extent of the damage caused," the bench headed by Adarsh Kumar Goel said.
NGT also issued notice to Andhra Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, Vishakapatnam District Magistrate and Union Ministry of Environment and the company LG Polymers India Private Ltd.
Styrene is classified as a hazardous and toxic chemical, the usage of which requires onsite and off-site emergency plans to prevent any damage. However, there appears to be a failure to comply with the said rules, said the NGT bench.
Meanwhile, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba met for the second successive day to review the situation arising out of the gas leak that took place in Vishakhapatnam on Thursday early morning. “Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh briefed the Committee on the ground situation as well as the actions taken by them after the incident to evacuate people and to contain the leakage in the plant. It was informed that all efforts were being taken by them to prevent any further emissions from the tanks. Issues related to the long term impact of the gas on health and on the quality of water and air were also discussed,” said Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.
Cabinet Secretary took stock of the current situation, preparedness, rescue and relief operations and directed that all assistance, as maybe required by the state, be provided to mitigate the situation. Consultations between national and international experts on Chemical Safety and Industrial processes and the officials on site would be carried out through video conferencing, and a team of such experts would also be flown in as per requirements.