Panic grips Tarapur MIDC as hazardous ‘fuming sulfuric acid’ leak from Bhageria Industries impacts 5km radius; 1,600 school students moved to safety.

By Rootsalert News Desk

A massive chemical emergency gripped the industrial belt of Boisar on Monday afternoon after a hazardous leak of oleum gas from a private chemical manufacturing unit triggered the urgent evacuation of over 2,600 people. The incident, which occurred at the premises of Bhageria Industries Ltd (formerly Zenith Chemicals) in the Tarapur MIDC D-Zone, sent a thick, suffocating white cloud across a five-kilometre radius, sparking fears of a large-scale industrial disaster.

Among those evacuated were approximately 1,600 students from Tarapur Vidyamandir and other nearby educational institutes, as authorities scrambled to clear the path of the drifting toxic fumes. While no fatalities have been reported, at least three individuals were rushed to local hospitals complaining of severe eye irritation and respiratory discomfort.

The Incident: A Race Against the Wind

The leak was first detected around 2:00 PM on Monday. According to district officials, the source was identified as a 2,500-litre capacity oleum day tank. Oleum, also known as fuming sulfuric acid, reacts violently with moisture in the air to create a dense mist of sulfuric acid droplets.

Driven by strong afternoon winds, the white chemical fog rapidly bypassed factory walls, moving toward residential pockets in Salwad and Pasthal villages. Eyewitnesses described a scene of immediate chaos as the smell of acid filled the air, causing workers and residents to experience stinging eyes and persistent coughing.

“The smoke was so dense we couldn’t see the road ahead,” said a local shopkeeper near the MIDC gate. “People were running with handkerchiefs over their faces. Within minutes, the police arrived and began clearing the area.”

Emergency Response and Containment

District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar personally reached the site to oversee the Disaster Management Plan. The response saw a coordinated effort between the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) safety wing, and the local fire brigade.

Initial containment efforts faced significant hurdles. The high concentration of fumes near the leak site made it nearly impossible for first responders to approach without specialized gear. Clad in Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) suits, technical teams eventually managed to pinpoint the breach. To suppress the toxic vapours, responders utilized sandbags and chemical neutralizers, strictly avoiding the direct application of water, which could have triggered a violent exothermic reaction.

“Our primary goal was the preservation of life,” Collector Jakhar stated in a press briefing. “We activated the protocol to evacuate all downwind areas immediately. We urge citizens to remain indoors, keep windows closed, and disregard unverified social media rumours.”

Health Impact and Safety Protocols

As of Monday evening, three people are receiving treatment at Anand Hospital and Sanjivani Hospital. Their conditions are reported to be stable. Medical experts warn that oleum exposure can cause delayed pulmonary edema and severe skin burns if not treated immediately.

The Palghar District Administration has issued the following safety directives for residents within the 5km impact zone:

• Respiratory Protection: Use a wet cloth or N95 mask to cover the nose and mouth.
• Decontamination: If the gas makes contact with skin or eyes, wash with clean running water for at least 15–20 minutes.
• Shelter: Stay in upper-level rooms if possible, as acidic vapours often settle closer to the ground.

Investigation and Aftermath

Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh confirmed that a nakabandi (roadblock) remains in place around the MIDC D-Zone to restrict entry. A technical committee is expected to be formed to investigate whether the leak was a result of equipment failure or a breach of safety protocols by Bhageria Industries.

By 6:45 PM, the NDRF reported that the leak had been significantly contained, though a “cooling-off” period remains in effect. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks in the Boisar-Tarapur industrial corridor, one of Maharashtra’s largest chemical hubs.