Bhopal: Toxic Waste from Union Carbide Factory Shifted for Disposal After 40 Years

Forty years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, 377 tons of hazardous waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory has finally been shifted for disposal, according to officials. On Wednesday night, the waste was transported in 12 sealed container trucks from Bhopal to the Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district, approximately 250 km away.

Swatantra Kumar Singh, Director of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, stated, “The trucks began their non-stop journey at 9 pm under a green corridor, ensuring the waste reached Pithampur safely within seven hours.” Packing and loading the waste involved nearly 100 workers, who operated in 30-minute shifts since Sunday, undergoing regular health check-ups and rest intervals.

The Union Carbide disaster, which occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, is considered one of the worst industrial catastrophes in history. The leak of highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas resulted in over 5,479 deaths and left thousands with severe and long-term health complications.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently reprimanded authorities for their failure to clear the Union Carbide site despite directives from the Supreme Court. On December 3, the court set a four-week deadline to remove the waste, warning of contempt proceedings if not adhered to.

The toxic waste, left untouched for four decades, has raised major environmental concerns in Bhopal, where the legacy of the disaster still haunts its citizens. The removal and disposal of the waste had been delayed for years due to legal battles, technical challenges, and disputes over the best methods to safely manage such highly dangerous materials. The waste, including residues from the production of pesticides, poses a serious environmental and health risk if not properly treated.

According to Singh, the waste will be incinerated at Pithampur within three months if all conditions are met; otherwise, the process could take up to nine months. Special four-layer filters will ensure that emissions from the incinerator do not contaminate the air, while the resulting ash will be sealed in a two-layer membrane and buried to prevent contact with soil or water. The entire operation will be monitored by a team of experts, including officials from the Central and State Pollution Control Boards.

As part of the rigorous protocols to prevent contamination, the disposal process will include air quality monitoring around the Pithampur area, and any signs of pollution will trigger immediate measures. The site of disposal has been equipped with advanced technology to safely neutralize the harmful chemicals, ensuring that the potential risks are minimized.

Local concerns about potential pollution have resurfaced, with activists citing a 2015 trial incineration of Union Carbide waste in Pithampur, which allegedly polluted soil and groundwater in nearby villages. However, Singh dismissed these claims, stating that the disposal site was approved only after evaluating the 2015 test results and addressing objections.

Despite reassurances, protests erupted in Pithampur on Sunday, as residents voiced their opposition to the waste being disposed of in their city, which has a population of approximately 1.75 lakh. Some activists have raised alarms about the long-term impact of the incineration process, suggesting that the process could cause health hazards to the local population. However, authorities have emphasized that comprehensive safety measures have been put in place to protect both the environment and the community.

The disposal process has been under intense scrutiny due to the potential dangers involved, but the government has assured that it is committed to transparency and ensuring the safe handling of the toxic waste. Despite the protests, the authorities have maintained that the operation is critical for mitigating the environmental risks posed by the remaining hazardous materials at the Union Carbide site.

The long-awaited action is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to bring closure to the Bhopal gas tragedy, which continues to affect the lives of many survivors and their families.