Bhopal Gas Tragedy Toxic Waste: Gas tragedy occurred in Bhopal 40 years ago. Now after 40 years, the process of disposal of toxic waste buried in the Union Carbide factory has started. Preparations are underway to burn 377 metric tons of garbage in Madhya Pradesh, 250 kilometers away from Bhopal. According to the plan, it will be disposed of in Pithampura, Indore.
Madhya Pradesh government in action after High Court’s decision
Madhya Pradesh government has taken this action after the decision of the High Court. A week ago the Madhya Pradesh High Court had given a big blow to the government. The High Court raised questions over non-removal of garbage by the factory in Bhopal. The court asked the government why the waste is not being disposed of despite continuous instructions? Whereas along with the Supreme Court, the High Court has also issued instructions in this regard. During the hearing, the High Court said, ‘a state of inaction’ could lead to another tragedy.
The GPS equipped truck reached the factory early in the morning
Half a dozen trucks equipped with GPS reached the Union Carbide factory site in the morning to take the toxic waste to Indore. There was also a leak proof container with it. Employees wearing PPE kits, Bhopal Municipal Corporation employees, people from environmental agencies, doctors and waste disposal experts were also present at the incident site. Police personnel have also been deployed around the factory. Agency sources said that under the plan, toxic waste will be burnt in Pithampura, Indore. This area is about 250 km away from the capital Bhopal.
250 kilometer long corridor is being built
Director of Madhya Pradesh Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Swatantra Kumar Singh said that a 250 kilometer green corridor is being built to transport the toxic waste to Pithampura. However, he did not mention the date of transportation and disposal of the waste. But sources say that the garbage will reach Pithampura by January 3.
Garbage will burn to ashes in 3 months!
Director Swatantra Kumar Singh said that initially some of the waste will be burnt at the waste disposal unit in Pithampur and the residue (ash) will be scientifically tested to find out whether any harmful substance is left in it or not. If everything goes well, the garbage will burn to ashes in three months. But if the burning rate is slow, it may take up to 9 months. The smoke coming out from burning garbage in the kiln will pass through a 4 layer filter, due to which the surrounding air will not be polluted. Every moment of this process will be recorded.
Waste will be disposed inside the double layer
Swatantra Kumar Singh said, once the garbage is burnt and freed from harmful elements, the ash will be covered with a two-layer strong ‘membrane’ and buried in the ‘landfill’. This will be done to ensure that the waste does not come in contact with soil and water in any way.
People around Pithampura are protesting
However, there is another side to this whole process. A group of people and social workers around Pithampura are protesting against burning of garbage there. According to people, in 2015, 10 tons of Union Carbide waste was destroyed as a test in Pithampur. Due to which the soil, groundwater and water sources of the surrounding villages have been polluted. However, Swatantra Kumar Singh rejected this claim.
High Court slapped the government
Let us tell you that on December 3, Madhya Pradesh High Court had given a deadline of 4 weeks to shift the toxic waste from the factory. The High Court said that this is a regrettable situation. The court warned the government that contempt action would be taken if the instructions were not followed. The division bench of Chief Justice SK Kait and Justice Vivek Jain made a strong comment, saying, ‘We do not understand why the work of removing toxic waste has not started despite the directions given from time to time by the Supreme Court and the High Court. Has not happened.’ When the garbage removal plan was on March 23, it was 2024. The next hearing on this issue in the High Court will be on January 6.
More than five thousand people died
Let us tell you that on the night of 2 December 1984, poisonous gas methyl isocyanite (MIC) was leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal. 5,479 people died in this disaster. The health of more than five lakh people was adversely affected due to the gas leak. Whose effect is still visible on many people even today. After this accident many people became victims of disability.
