Defunct Chemical factory turns hazard spot in Jagdalpur
Four children suffer burns near abandoned factory site
Bastar | Correspondent: A defunct chemical factory in the city of Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, has become a curse for the residents of the ward. Waste material from this chemical factory is constantly smoldering, and children playing nearby are falling victim to the flames.
According to reports, the feet of four children have already been severely scorched in this fire.
Two of these children have been admitted to Maharani Hospital; moreover, beyond just the children, adults are also being exposed to the hazards of this smoldering fire. As the chemical factory premises remain open and exposed on all sides, there is a persistent fear that a major tragedy could occur.
The ward residents state that despite their repeated appeals to the administration, their pleas are going unheard.
Factory Shut Down for 30 Years
Located in the city's Baliram Kashyap Ward, this chemical factory has been shut down for the past 30 years.
Residents of the ward explained that while medicines were once manufactured at this facility, the factory has long since ceased operations. Its buildings have completely crumbled into ruins, and the perimeter walls have collapsed on all sides. For years, heaps of waste material from this chemical factory have lain abandoned at the site.
The situation has now reached a critical point where fire is smoldering deep within this waste material, and the flames, fueled by the refuse, have engulfed an area of approximately 4,000 square feet of surrounding land.
Glowing embers are visible beneath the surface of the ground. Children playing in the vicinity are inadvertently stumbling into this waste material, which is effectively spewing fire.
Residents confirmed that, to date, four children have suffered severe burns to their feet while playing near or stepping into the smoldering waste.
It is not just children; livestock and adults are also falling victim to this hazard.
The children who sustained burns to their feet have been admitted to Maharani Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Residents Appeal for Assistance
The ward residents also stated that they had filed a written complaint at the Bodhghat Police Station, requesting assistance either to remove the hazardous waste material entirely or to extinguish the internal fire using water cannons.
However, the Station House Officer advised the children against entering the area and sent them back. Meanwhile, the ward residents appealed to their Ward Councilor to help resolve this issue, but the Councilor, too, failed to take any action.
Councilor Advises Residents
Commenting on the matter, Ward Councilor Girija Gupta stated that she received information from the residents and subsequently observed for herself that a fire was smoldering within the waste materials of the chemical factory.
However, she admitted that she, too, is unaware of how such a phenomenon is possible. For the time being, she has advised the residents to refrain from entering the area and has assured them that she will speak with the Mayor to find a solution to the issue.
