Institute launched to study impact of Bhopal Gas tragedy

BHOPAL: The National Institute for Research and Environmental Health (NIREH) was officially launched here to undertake research on long-term medical and environmental impact of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

The Institute, which would be a centre of the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR), would not only study the effects of the lethal Methyl Isocyanate ( MIC) gas on the victims but also its impact on soil and water in the affected areas.

The setting up of the Institute was announced by the Group of Ministers (GOM) following the verdict given by Bhopal Court on June 7 this year.

The Institute would currently function from the building of the Kamla Nehru Hospital in a unit that houses the Centre for Rehabilitation Studies of the Madhya Pradesh Government.

Those present at the launch included Madhya Pradesh Minister for Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Babulal Gaur and Bhopal Mayor Krishna Gaur.