After four decades, the Bhopal High Court has mandated the disposal of 337 metric tons of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide factory, stemming from the 1984 gas tragedy. Transport to Pithampur for incineration has begun, with strict safety measures. Activists express concerns over underground waste, which remains an environmental risk, but authorities focus on the court-ordered waste removal.
Bhopal: After a long wait of four decades, a significant step has been taken in the disposal of toxic waste materials at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Following an order by the MP High Court, the process of packing and transporting 337 metric tons of hazardous waste from the factory has begun. This toxic waste, which has been sitting at the site since the infamous Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984, will be safely disposed of in Pithampur, located in the Dhar district, under strict safety protocols.
The Bhopal gas tragedy, one of the worst industrial disasters in the world, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, when a deadly gas leak from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant claimed thousands of lives and left many others suffering long-term health effects. In the aftermath, the site became home to a large amount of toxic waste, which has remained a significant environmental concern for decades.
The MP High Court’s order, issued on December 3, mandates the disposal of 337 metric tons of waste within four weeks. This waste will be carefully transported to Pithampur for incineration.
According to Swatantra Pratap Singh, Director of the Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Directorate, the process has already begun with full safety measures in place. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is being worn by handlers as they pack the waste materials, and officials from both the Central Pollution Control Board and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board are supervising the operation.
In 2015, a trial run involving the disposal of 10 tons of waste was successfully conducted in Pithampur, with favorable environmental reports. This has led to the decision to proceed with the disposal of the remaining toxic materials following the same method.
The process of loading and securing the containers will be conducted with utmost care. The waste will be transported to Pithampur within two days for incineration, a process that will transform the toxic material into two forms. The gaseous byproduct will undergo four-stage filtration to ensure zero percent air pollution, while the solid residue will be safely stored at a landfill site.
Singh explained that this disposal process will take three to nine months, depending on the pace of the incineration process. The local police have also been alerted to provide high security during the transportation of the waste.
While the waste disposal process has commenced, activist Rachna Dhingra, who works with survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy, raised concerns about the remaining waste buried underground. She pointed out that the 337 metric tons of waste accounted for just one percent of the total waste at the factory. According to Dhingra, the waste buried underground has contaminated the groundwater of 42 Bhopal settlements and still poses a significant environmental risk.
However, Singh clarified that the case has been under trial in the High Court for over 20 years, and the current focus is on the 337 metric tons of waste. He stated that no instructions have been received regarding the underground waste and that if the court issues further orders, they will take appropriate action.
As the waste is being transported to Pithampur, some local residents have raised concerns about the potential dangers of disposing of toxic waste in their area. However, Singh assured that the material being disposed of is not as dangerous as many fear, as it consists primarily of pesticide residue, which has a shelf life and is less harmful than the deadly gas that caused the 1984 tragedy.
He also emphasized that the entire process is being carried out under the court’s orders and that anyone with concerns should direct them to the High Court.
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