40 Years After Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Toxic Waste Moved via Green Corridor

Bhopal: 40-Year-Old Toxic Waste Finally Shifted from Union Carbide Site

In a significant development, toxic waste that had been lying at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) premises in Bhopal for the past 40 years was shifted to a designated dumping site in Pithampur, Dhar district, on Wednesday. The waste, totaling around 337 metric tonnes, was transported via 12 container trucks under tight security arrangements.

A green corridor was established, spanning approximately 250 km, between the UCIL site and the Pithampur facility to ensure a smooth and secure transit.

The toxic waste originated from the infamous 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, when methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory on the night of December 2-3, killing at least 5,479 people and leaving thousands more with long-term health issues. This tragedy remains one of the worst industrial disasters in history.

In response to the ongoing issue, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had set a four-week deadline for the removal of the waste, criticizing the authorities for their delayed action and warning of contempt proceedings if the directive was not followed. The court's order came on December 3, marking the 40th anniversary of the disaster.

Since Sunday, more than 100 workers have been packing the toxic waste in 30-minute shifts. Each worker underwent health check-ups and was given rest during their shifts. The 12 specialized containers used for transporting the waste met the stringent standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). They are leak-proof, fire-resistant, and equipped with GPS for real-time tracking.

Swatantra Kumar Singh, Director of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, explained that the Pithampur plant is equipped for the safe incineration of industrial waste. A trial run in 2015, supervised by the CPCB, had successfully disposed of 10 metric tonnes of UCIL waste, with emission levels adhering to national safety standards. Singh also noted that the Pithampur facility has been incinerating waste safely since 2006.

Following the trial, environmental tests showed no harmful elements in the air or water, and the remaining residues from incineration were disposed of using a double composite liner system to ensure environmental protection. Furthermore, the area around Pithampur has seen an increase in soybean and wheat cultivation over the past decade, with no negative impact on agriculture.

The successful transfer and disposal of the toxic waste marks a critical step in the long-awaited cleanup process, ensuring that the environmental and public health risks associated with the Bhopal gas tragedy will continue to be addressed.