The accident prevention, preparedness and mitigation has always been an area of grave concern to all of us. For this purpose ministry of Environment & forests (MoEF), Govt. of India has set up a Central Crisis Group Alert System (CCGAS) at New Delhi. On the same lines the MoEF has set up Emergency Response Centres (ERC) in four States, including one at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh since 1993 which is administratively controlled by M.P. Pollution Control Board. This is a voluntary scheme and is instituted in the larger interest of environment. The ERC establishes link among industries, expert crisis groups and expert environmental agencies during the crisis situation to ensure proper mitigative measures for any possible accident and control the scenario in case of an accident.

This Centre is set up on mutual cost sharing basis (equity participation) with 50% share from the State Government and 50% from the beneficiary or member units. Any industry or organization intending to become member of this centre can obtain its membership by remitting a nominal fee @ Rs. 1.50 per Lac of total investment.

The industrial sector has shown keen interest towards the aims, objectives and functions of E.R.C. and 275 industries have already become its member till March 2010. The services of ERC are not confined to the M.P. State but it has extended its services to other States also in times of need, specially during chemical accidents. The ERC has maintained technical information including safe isolation distances during chemical mishap, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC) and First Aid of important chemicals. For the easy and quick access to the chemical information this centre has established cross indexing facility based on RTECS (by Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemicals Substances) code numbers, Chemical Abstract Society number (CAS No.) and United Nations numbers (UN Nos.) assigned to each individual chemical. Besides, ERC also provides important information to the administration about safe distances for isolation and evacuation of people from the accident site. Other important information of interest, viz. Major Accident Hazard Units in M.P. State, Contact Addresses of relevant agencies, World Environment Agencies and Web links to important sites are also maintained by this centre for an easy and quick access.

The information on chemicals can be referred in ERC Register of Chemicals. This register contains information on War chemicals, MSDS, ICSC, First aid, Hazardous microorganisms etc.. ERC has also compiled information sheets of over 75 pesticides, monograph of over 200 poison substances and NIOSH analytical methods for over 350 chemicals.

The Environmental laws governed in India and the related Standards for various activities have also been put in here in the larger interest of environment for environmentalists, policy makers, academic institutes and also common citizens for reference and as part of awareness.

The ERC is the nodal agency in the M.P. State to provide technical support and assistance, pertaining to chemicals, to the target groups including Govt. departments, industry personnel, academic institutions, NGOs and also common citizens. This centre coordinates with the State Crisis Group (SCG), District Crisis Group (DCG), and the Local Crisis Group (LCG) during the chemical emergency. This Centre also organizes programmes at various levels in the State to bring awareness among the common citizens regarding hazards associated with handling and management of chemicals and the associated safety aspects for prevention and mitigation of possible chemical mishaps. Publications are also released by this centre time to time as part of awareness campaign. Matters pertaining to Regional Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (RRPTC ), Chemical Accidents (EPPR) Rules and Manufacture, Storage & Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989 are also being looked after by this centre.

This centre is always at service of people and the environment and any one at any time can contact for the relevant technical support. Suggestions from any sector by any person are always welcome as this is helpful to overcome the shortcomings and improve the existing functioning and services.