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Unsung Heroes of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The night of December 3, 1984, marked one of the most devastating industrial disasters in history — the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Amidst the chaos and terror, many unsung heroes, including railway men, played pivotal roles in saving lives. Their quick thinking and courageous actions in the face of a deadly gas leak from the Union Carbide pesticide plant have largely remained unacknowledged. One such hero was Ghulam Dastgir, the Deputy Station Superintendent at Bhopal Railway Station.

As the gas began to spread, Dastgir initially felt the effects of the toxic fumes, which burned his eyes and made it difficult to breathe. Despite his worsening condition, he remained at the station, determined to help. He quickly realized that the gas leak posed an immediate threat to train passengers and the city. Without waiting for official instructions, Dastgir took the initiative to clear the Gorakhpur-Mumbai Express, which was set to depart the station. Had the train not left immediately, its passengers would have been exposed to the lethal gas, which could have led to catastrophic casualties. By flagging off the train early, Dastgir ensured that hundreds of lives were spared.