Monument for Bhopal gas tragedy victims

Bhopal, Dec 1 (UNI) A monument of international standard would be constructed at the Union Carbide factory premises here in memory of the victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which claimed thousand of lives and maimed several lakhs of people.

Official sources said the monument would be built over an area of 87 acre at a cost of Rs 70 crore. The Housing and Environment department was preparing an outline in this regard. A provision of Rs ten crore as first installment towards the project had been made in the budget.

Meanwhile, the government had approved an amount of Rs 2.80 crore for the municipal corporation for making drinking water available for people in ten gas-affected wards.

Besides, a Rs 9.28 crore proposal for making permanent drinking water arrangements in 14 slums surrounding Union Carbide premises had been sent to the Centre for approval but had not been sanctioned so far. The government has provided Rs 3.60 crore from its limited resources to the municipal corporation for making clean drinking water available in these slums.

A scheme for rehabilitation of gas-affected people by providing them training in 'Zari' art and preparing artificial flowers and fruits had also been chalked out.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will take part in 'Sarva Dharma Sabha' at central library ground on December 3 at 1030 hours in Barkatullah Bhavan here and pay tributes to victims on the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy.

On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, thousands died after inhaling methyl isocyanate while several lakh continue to suffer the deleterious effect of inhaling the deadly vapours.

UNI