Bhopal's Real Estate Thrives in Areas Once Shunned After Gas Tragedy
Despite the devastating gas leak 40 years ago, the areas around the Union Carbide site in Bhopal have seen significant real estate development. The once ostracized neighborhoods are now bustling with residential and commercial establishments, marking a no
BhopalReal EstateUnion CarbideGas TragedyUrban DevelopmentReal Estate NewsDec 01, 2024
A prominent shopping mall and entertainment center now stands just 4 kilometers away from the Union Carbide site. Hundreds of residential colonies have emerged on the previously vacant land, seemingly overlooking the environmental hazards left behind by the disaster, such as contaminated groundwater and soil.
The catastrophic gas leak, which released highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas, killed 5,479 people and maimed over 500,000 others. Vishnu Rathore, a former corporator who represented the adjoining areas, recalls the significant changes in the neighborhood. He said, “The area has seen a lot of development, with numerous residential colonies and shopping outlets coming up, despite being a part of the city's tragic past.”
Rathore, who was 16 years old during the disaster, noted that while the area is still underdeveloped to some extent, the real estate business has been thriving in the vicinity of the abandoned factory site. Manoj Singh Meek, the chief of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) Bhopal unit, added, “The area around Union Carbide, located in the northern part of the city, has added around 100 residential colonies and a population of about 300,000 over the past four decades.”
However, the industrial disaster severely impacted Bhopal's development and economic growth. Meek explained, “Due to this disaster, Bhopal lagged behind in the development race of state capitals. No significant industrial or major business developments took place, leading to a slower pace of growth.” At the time of the gas tragedy, Bhopal's population was around 850,000. Nearly 520,000 people, including 200,000 children and about 3,000 pregnant women, were residing in the 36 wards designated as 'gas-affected.'
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, many residents left the city due to health concerns and fears of lingering contamination. However, over time, the population stabilized and began to grow, driven by urbanization and economic opportunities. By 1991, the population growth indicated a gradual return and influx of residents.
Development in the immediate vicinity of the gas leak site has been cautious due to contamination concerns. The plant site remains largely abandoned, with limited residential or commercial projects directly adjacent to it. However, the urban expansion and population pressure in peripheral areas have spurred development in neighborhoods further from the plant.
Shubhashis Banerjee, the former chairman of the Institute of Town Planners India (ITPI), MP Chapter, mentioned that much of the residential development adjacent to Union Carbide has been illegal. He said, “The compensation disbursed after the tragedy gave a boost to the local economy, leading to small-scale, illegal real estate developments in the surrounding areas.” Banerjee also pointed out that the gas leak site was not handled properly, unlike other major disaster sites, such as Hiroshima in Japan. He suggested that a world-class memorial should have been developed at the site.
Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, an organization of gas survivors, noted that development accelerated after the construction of an overbridge parallel to the Union Carbide campus. This overbridge was built on the solar evaporation ponds where toxic waste was dumped. Following its construction, large-scale real estate development took place in neighboring areas. Dhingra claimed that even parts of the solar evaporation pond have been encroached upon.
In 2010, there was a plan to relocate settlements near the Union Carbide factory campus, with the central government sanctioning ₹40 crore. However, the proposal was shelved, making the situation more challenging. Dhingra highlighted that the land and groundwater in the surrounding areas remain toxic, yet people continue to live in these conditions, blaming politicians for the “mess” around the gas leak site.
Despite the lingering environmental issues, Bhopal's real estate market has shown resilience and growth, reflecting the city's ongoing urban transformation and the determination of its residents to rebuild and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Bhopal gas tragedy?
The Bhopal gas tragedy was a lethal gas leak that occurred on the night of December 2, 1984, at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant in Bhopal, India. It released highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas, killing thousands and injuring hundreds of thousands of people.
How has the area around the Union Carbide site changed over the years?
The area around the Union Carbide site has seen significant real estate development, with numerous residential colonies and commercial establishments cropping up. This urban transformation has marked a notable change from the time when the area was ostracized due to the gas leak disaster.
What were the immediate effects of the gas leak on Bhopal's population?
Immediately after the gas leak, a significant number of people left Bhopal due to health concerns and fear of contamination. The population stabilized and began to grow over time, driven by urbanization and economic opportunities.
What are the current environmental concerns around the Union Carbide site?
The land and groundwater in the areas surrounding the Union Carbide site are still contaminated. Despite these concerns, residential and commercial developments have continued, leading to ongoing health risks for the residents.
What efforts have been made to address the contamination around the Union Carbide site?
There have been some efforts to address the contamination, including a plan to relocate settlements near the site and the construction of an overbridge over the solar evaporation ponds. However, these initiatives have faced challenges and delays, leading to ongoing environmental issues.
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