The correct option is (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Explanation
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy (December 1984) was one of the world's worst industrial disasters, caused by the leak of highly toxic Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant. The magnitude of the disaster was amplified by a combination of corporate negligence, technical failures, and urban planning issues.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Investigations established that the company deliberately ignored essential safety measures to reduce operational costs. This included reducing the workforce, inadequate training for staff, and cutting corners on maintenance protocols.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Multiple safety systems designed to prevent such a leak were either malfunctioning or turned off. The refrigeration unit (meant to keep MIC cool) was shut down to save power, the gas scrubber (designed to neutralize leaking gas) was non-functional, and the flare tower (intended to burn off escaping gas) was under maintenance.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The plant was located in close proximity to a densely populated area. Many slums and shantytowns had developed around the factory. Since the leak occurred at night, the high population density in the immediate vicinity resulted in a catastrophic death toll as residents were caught unaware in their sleep.
Key Takeaway:
The high casualty count in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy was a cumulative result of cost-cutting on safety protocols, the failure of technical safety mechanisms, and the hazardous location of the industrial plant near human settlements.