Poor Socio-economic conditions, unplanned urbanization and development within high risk zones coupled with high population density.

 Non-replacement of old industries, illegal storage of Hazchem (hazardous chemicals).

 Large unorganized and unregulated sectors

 Large no of MSMEs dealing in hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, LPG etc.

 Inadequate laws to prevent the malpractices in handling the hazardous chemicals.

 Insufficient compensation– even the proposed Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act puts a cap on the liability of operators.

Safety initiatives taken in India to address chemical risk

1. The comprehensive legal/ institutional framework and regulations covering the safety in transportation, liability, insurance and compensations have been enacted in India. For e.g. Explosives Act 1884, Public Liability Insurance Act 1991, Disaster Management Act 2005 etc.

2. This legal framework is further reinforced by enacting new rules such as Manufacture, storage and import of hazardous chemical rules (MSIHC) Rules; Emergency planning, preparedness and response for chemical accidents (EPPR) Rules, Gas Cylinder Rules, Hazardous Waste Rules, Dock Workers Rules etc. and by way of amendments to them.

3. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India has come out with very specific guidelines on Chemical Disaster Management which call for a proactive, participatory, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach at various levels for chemical disaster preparedness and response.