Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Q6. What are the major drivers behind the rising incidence of chemical disasters in India? Assess the adequacy of India’s legal and institutional framework in addressing these risks. Suggest long-term policy measures to reduce chemical disaster vulnerability. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question
14 dead, at least 34 injured in reactor blast at Patancheru chemical plant in Telangana
Key Demand of the question
The question requires identifying the root causes of rising chemical disasters, critically evaluating the effectiveness of existing legal and institutional structures, and recommending broad-based long-term reforms.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Mention India’s rising chemical disaster risk due to rapid industrialisation and weak enforcement; give a recent example or data point.Body
- Mention key drivers like weak regulation, poor land-use planning, outdated technology, and informal labour.
- Evaluate existing laws and institutions like EPA 1986, MSIHC Rules, NDMA, CPCB, and their limitations.
- Suggest reforms such as unified chemical safety law, real-time monitoring, decentralised capacity-building, and community preparedness.
Conclusion
Highlight the need for shifting from reactive response to preventive governance, with integration across environmental, industrial, and disaster domains.
