Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The building on Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) plant land will remain dilapidated as state government has no plans to use it.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department (BGTRRD) removed 337 MT chemical waste after Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a clean-up in its order issued on December 3, 2024, on 40th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The chemical waste has been shifted to Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited (REEL) in Pithampur in Dhar district.
Though the waste has been lifted, the fear of methyl iso-cynate gas still persists in public though 40 years have passed. The Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant was built on 55 acres. Besides, solar evaporation ponds are located on 35 acres.
The entire factory premises are spread over 85 acres. The plant is located on land leased by Madhya Pradesh government. Commissioner (gas relief) Swatantra Kumar Singh told Free Press that it was up to state government to decide the use of UCC plant land. The High Court hearing is on January 6.
After hearing, government will decide, he added. In 2005, the state government had invited Indian architects for development of a memorial complex for Bhopal gas tragedy victims at the site of Union Carbide.
In 2011, a conference was held on the site, with participants from European universities for the same. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said a memorial would be built to commemorate those who lost their lives in 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.
Former Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation minister Vishvas Sarang had said that the state government decided to go ahead with the construction of an employment-oriented memorial on abandoned Union Carbide factory premises.
