UCC Clean Up: Plan To Incinerate Waste At Pithampur Finalised, Government’s Nod Awaited | Wikipedia
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department has finalised the plan and strategy for incineration of 327 MT toxic waste from the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) plant at Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited (REEL) in Pithampur. This comes following an order of the High Court directing the state government to clean up the site within four weeks.
The court had issued the direction on the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy earlier this month. Commissioner (Gas relief) Swatantra Kumar Singh talking to Free Press said that the department has finalized the plan and is waiting for the government’s approval.
“We visited Pithampur to assess the situation and ensure scientific disposal of UCC chemical waste as per the order of the High Court. We have completed all necessary preparations on our part, however, we are waiting for the government’s final approval. Once we get the government’s nod, we will proceed with our plan.”
While the department has accelerated its efforts to safely dispose of the UCC chemical waste, the protest against incineration at REEl too has gained momentum in Pithampur and adjoining villages over pollution concern and the health hazards.
Besides, the Gas Tragedy survivors in Bhopal are also opposing the superficial cleanup of UCC waste arguing that previously in a Special Curative Petition (SLP) in Supreme Court the state government had objected to the method but now the government has taken U-turn and reversed its stand.
Gas victims also demanded total clean up instead of superficial clean up. There are three Solar Evaporation Ponds (SEPs) and 19 dumpties (buried) at UCC plant which are polluting ground water in residential colonies of the vicinity. Moreover, incineration of UCC waste at Pithampur is likely to generate three times more residue. Even the then ministers Jayant Mallaya and Babulal Gaur also protested the disposal of UCC waste at Pithampur.
