Relocate Tughlaqabad container depot, AIIMS probe panel

A panel of experts from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) who were set up to investigate the chemical spill that affected more than 450 children, hospitalised, suggested on Friday that the Tughalqabad container depot should be relocated.

However, a formal recommendation is yet to come from the five-member probe panel which had visited the depot in South Delhi's Tughlaqabad area and the two affected schools. Also, the panel paid visits to the hospitals where the students were admitted following the accident.

"The panel feels that the depot should be relocated. However, we have not sent any official recommendation to that effect yet," said Dr Y K Gupta, head of pharmacology, AIIMS. Gupta is heading the investigating panel.

Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry set up after the incident has also submitted its preliminary report to the Delhi government. Union Health Minister J P Nadda had directed central government run hospitals to be ready to help the victims.

The chemical spill near the two Delhi government-run girl schools had led to toxic fumes rising in the air. Hundreds of students were hospitalized after they complained of breathlessness and irritation in eyes. On the fateful day, AIIMS had issued an advisory urging people not to panic. AIIMS also stated that the chemical 'chloromethyl pyridine' is a general eye and respiratory irritant and may cause irritation, redness, and watering of eyes along with respiratory symptoms – difficulty in breathing, coughing and sneezing.

On Thursday, Justice Ashutosh Kumar said that after the Container Corporation (CONCOR) told the court that there are 230 more containers with hazardous material kept at the site.

Meanwhile, member of the Delhi government governing council Rahul Mehra told the court that hazardous cargo should not be relocated to another populous area in some other state.