The long-awaited process of disposing of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal has finally begun after a lengthy wait of 40 years.
This decision comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued an order for the removal of 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the site, marking a significant development in the aftermath of one of the world’s deadliest industrial disasters, the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984.
The waste disposal process officially began on Tuesday, with safety measures being observed throughout the procedure. Under the supervision of the Pollution Control Board officials, workers started the packing of the toxic waste in full protective gear.
The waste, which has been stored at the Union Carbide factory for decades, is set to be transported to Pithampur in the Dhar district for proper disposal. This action is in accordance with the court's directive, which mandates that the remaining 337 metric tonnes of waste be disposed of within four weeks.
The Bhopal gas tragedy, which occurred in December 1984, left thousands of people dead after a deadly gas leak from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant.
This tragedy not only caused massive loss of life but also left behind environmental contamination in the form of hazardous waste, which has been a cause of concern for the residents of Bhopal ever since.
The disposal of the waste has been delayed for years, leaving the area exposed to ongoing environmental risks.
According to Swatantra Pratap Singh, the Director of the Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Directorate, the decision to start disposing of the waste followed the successful disposal of a 10-tonne waste sample in 2015.
The trial disposal was conducted in Pithampur, and the results were favourable, showing no adverse impact on the environment. Based on these findings, the High Court issued orders for the rest of the waste to be removed using the same method, under strict safety guidelines.
The disposal process involves careful packing of the waste materials in airtight containers, and the handling of the waste is being done with utmost care. The workers involved in the packing are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure their safety.
After the waste is packed, it will be transported to Pithampur for incineration. The incineration process is designed to eliminate the harmful components of the waste, with the airborne emissions being filtered through a four-stage filtration process to prevent any pollution.
Once the waste has been incinerated, the remaining solid residue will be safely stored in a designated landfill. The disposal process is expected to take between three to nine months to complete.
Authorities are closely monitoring the entire operation to ensure it follows all necessary safety and environmental protocols. High security has been arranged for the transportation of the waste to prevent any untoward incidents.
However, not everyone is satisfied with the current disposal plan. Activists, such as Rachna Dhingra, who works with survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy, have raised concerns over the 337 metric tonnes of waste being only a fraction of the total waste on the site.
Dhingra pointed out that much of the waste has been buried underground and has contaminated the groundwater of around 40 settlements in Bhopal.
She called for the foreign company responsible for the waste, Dow Chemicals, to take responsibility and remove the toxic material from the country, rather than continuing the disposal process in Bhopal and Pithampur.
The issue of the underground waste is still unresolved, as the High Court has not yet issued any instructions regarding its removal.
Singh, the director of the Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Directorate, clarified that the current focus is on the 337 metric tonnes of waste, and there has been no court order for addressing the underground contamination at this stage.
He assured that if further instructions are given by the High Court, appropriate actions will be taken.
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