Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], March 2: The first trial incineration of 10 tonnes of hazardous waste linked to the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy began on Friday at a waste disposal factory in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district. The operation, taking place under tight security, marks a significant step toward disposing of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory.
Indore Divisional Commissioner Deepak Singh assured that there would be no health or safety issues for the people of Pithampur. Speaking to ANI, he said, “The process of disposal of Union Carbide’s waste is going on in Pithampur. Engineers, technicians, and pollution board teams are performing their duties. All monitoring is being done as per the norms. The district administration and police are also active. People will not face any problems with waste disposal. There will be no health-related problems.”
The hazardous waste, which had been stored in Bhopal since the gas tragedy, was transferred to the Ramky waste disposal facility in Pithampur on January 1. However, due to public concerns and protests, incineration was delayed until the court’s intervention. Now, under the supervision of both the Supreme Court and High Court, the disposal process has begun.
The trial incineration involves the disposal of 10 tonnes of waste at a rate of 135 kg per hour. A second phase, set for March 4, will see another 10 tonnes incinerated at 180 kg per hour, followed by a third phase with a disposal rate of 270 kg per hour. Results from all three phases will be submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for evaluation, and based on their recommendations, the final disposal method will be determined. The findings will be presented to the court on March 27.
Indore IG Anurag confirmed the security measures in place, stating, “After the direction of the court, the process of disposal of the waste has started. Police personnel have been deployed at the site. We have been monitoring the situation here since yesterday and watching the activity of the protestors. Strict action will be taken if someone tries to do anything wrong.” Around 400-450 officers are stationed at the location to ensure smooth operation.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, is considered the world’s worst industrial disaster. The leak of deadly gas from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant led to thousands of deaths and long-term health issues for the survivors. The disposal of the toxic waste marks a critical step in addressing the aftermath of this tragic event, with ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the community.