Bhopal gas tragedy toxic waste finally disposed after four decades

On January 1, 2025, after four decades, toxic waste from the Union Carbide India Ltd factory in Bhopal was removed and sent to the Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district for safe disposal. The 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste were packed securely over two days under the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board’s supervision. It was transported in 12 containers, making a 250-kilometre journey to Pithampur, where it will be incinerated at high temperatures.

This long-awaited action brings relief to the gas-affected areas of Bhopal, but activists argue it only addresses a fraction of the dangerous waste left on the site. Protests have erupted in Pithampur and the Malwa region against the disposal plan, though the authorities have proceeded with the operation.

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy remains a haunting memory. On December 2-3, 1984, methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide plant, killing thousands and causing long-lasting health impacts on survivors. The waste left on the factory premises has polluted the groundwater, affecting nearby colonies. Despite years of demands from survivor groups, only a small part of the toxic waste has been removed.

In March 2024, an agreement was signed with Pithampur Industrial Waste Management Pvt Ltd to dispose of the waste. The incineration was expected to be completed in 185 to 377 days, per a contract signed in October 2024. However, protests and delays slowed the process, with a directive from the Madhya Pradesh High Court in December 2023 requiring waste removal within a month. The court is awaiting a report on the disposal by January 3, 2025.

Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd is incinerating hazardous waste in Pithampur. In 2015, a pilot project disposed of 10 metric tonnes of waste, but this time, the volume is larger, and the incineration will occur at 1,200 degrees Celsius for thorough disposal.

Last month, Ground Report published a detailed report on the challenges and progress of hazardous waste disposal from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. The report highlighted the hurdles in the long-delayed process and ongoing protests against the waste disposal in Pithampur.

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