In a landmark move, 377 tons of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal has been transported to a disposal facility in Pithampur, Dhar district, after four decades of storage. The toxic material, a lingering remnant of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, began its journey on Wednesday night under strict security, signaling progress in addressing the environmental and public health fallout of the disaster.
The waste was packed and loaded by over 100 specially trained workers under the supervision of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB), and various scientific experts. Following extensive safety measures, 12 sealed container trucks carrying the waste left Bhopal around 9 p.m. via a designated ‘green corridor’ and reached the Pithampur industrial area, 250 kilometers away, by 4:30 a.m.
At the Pithampur facility, the waste will undergo incineration at a Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF). Authorities have planned an initial test batch to ensure the process meets environmental safety standards. Depending on the results, up to 270 kilograms of waste will be incinerated at a time, with the entire disposal expected to take between three to nine months.
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The Madhya Pradesh High Court had earlier set a strict four-week deadline for the authorities to begin disposal, following years of delays. This directive came with warnings of judicial action in case of non-compliance.
This marks a significant step in tackling the toxic legacy of the Bhopal gas tragedy, which remains one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. The tragedy caused thousands of deaths and left a long-lasting environmental impact.
The disposal of the waste represents a long-awaited effort to address this enduring challenge, though environmentalists and local stakeholders remain vigilant about its execution.
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