The Supreme Court demands responses regarding hazardous waste disposal from the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, emphasizing public health risks and environmental safety concerns near Indore and the surrounding villages.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, and the state pollution control board regarding the disposal of hazardous waste from the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy near Indore. The court took note of concerns about public health and environmental safety.
The 377 tonnes of hazardous waste from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory was shifted to Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district, approximately 250 km from Bhopal and 30 km from Indore. The top court acknowledged a petition raising concerns about the right to health and the risk posed to nearby residents, including those in Indore.
The 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, caused by a leak of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, resulted in the deaths of 5,479 people and severely affected over five lakh others. It remains one of the worst industrial disasters in history.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih agreed to hear a plea challenging the December 3, 2024, and January 6, 2025, orders of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The High Court had earlier criticized authorities for not clearing the Union Carbide site and had set a four-week deadline for shifting the waste, warning of contempt proceedings if the directive was not followed.
On January 1, 2025, the process of shifting the toxic waste began in 12 sealed container trucks. Officials stated that some of the waste would be incinerated at the Pithampur facility, and its residue (ash) would be tested for harmful elements.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department Director Swatantra Kumar Singh assured that smoke from the incinerator would pass through special four-layer filters to prevent air pollution.
The petition, filed by advocate Sarvam Ritam Khare on behalf of petitioner Chinmay Mishra, argues that the disposal site is dangerously close to human settlements.
“At least four-five villages are situated within the one km radius from the disposal site. The life and health of the residents of these villages are at extreme risk,”
the plea stated.
The petition also raised concerns about the Gambhir river, which flows beside the disposal facility and supplies water to the Yashwant Sagar Dam—a major drinking water source for 40% of Indore’s population.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, and the state pollution control board, seeking their responses. The matter will be heard after a week.
The plea questions whether disposing of hazardous chemical waste in densely populated areas violates the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. It also accuses authorities of failing to warn residents about potential health risks, thereby violating their right to be heard and right to health.
This case brings renewed focus on India’s handling of industrial waste and environmental protection in the aftermath of one of its most devastating disasters.
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