Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chief Secretary Anurag Jain has said that the chemical waste of the Union Carbide was shifted from the factory site, but the government will seek time for its disposal.
Jain made the statement in an informal interaction with media persons on Saturday. The government will submit an affidavit in the court that 358-tonne UC waste has been transported to Pithampur, Jain said, adding that there are some doubts over the factory leftover.
The waste will be burnt only after allaying those doubts and after solving the problems that may come up in the process, he said. Because there are certain misgivings among people about the waste, the government will take any further steps only after dispelling those doubts and it will be done under the court’s guidance, he said.
Pithampur is the only place where facility for disposal of hazardous material is available, he said, adding that this is the reason why the waste has been shifted there.
According to the court directives, the waste cannot be disposed of in an isolated place, he said. The Supreme Court directed the government to do trial- run for burning the waste, which was successful in Pithampur, Jain said.
A scientific study has proved that there is no hazardous substance in the waste which, if needed, may be examined again, he said. Jain said that the waste had been examined before being shifted to the site and that the institutions, like AIIMS and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), conducted the tests which show any hazardous material.
During the disposal of the waste, the quality of air will also be examined, and the gases emanating from the waste at the time of its burning will also be measured, he said. If there are any problems, the government will act for the public welfare, he said.
What will happen to UC site is yet to be decided
Chief Secretary Anurag Jain said what would happen to the UC factory premises was not yet decided. The chemical waste of the factory was removed after a court order. It was previously decided that a memorial would be constructed, but no decision was taken on the issue, he said.
There is no waste now
Chief Secretary Anurag Jain has said that there is no chemical waste at the UC factory site. It was clear after inspection by various organisations that the quantity of the waste was as much as was shifted from the factory site, he said, adding that if any issue crops up it will be examined.
