Central Pollution Control Board reports and environmental assessments

337 Metric Tons of Toxic Waste from Bhopal Gas Tragedy Moved in 12 Trucks for Disposal After 40 Years

Jan 2, 2025, 02:56 AM

Forty years after the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, Indian authorities have commenced the removal of 337 metric tons of toxic waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory site. The waste, stored at the site since the disaster, includes hazardous materials such as pesticide residues and chemicals that have long polluted the surrounding environment. The operation began on December 28, 2024, with the waste packed into 12 sealed, leak-proof, and fire-resistant containers. The convoy of 12 trucks departed Bhopal at 9:05 p.m. on January 1, 2025, under heavy security, traveling through a 250-kilometer green corridor to a disposal facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, with an expected arrival on January 2. The incineration process at the Pithampur facility, overseen by the Central Pollution Control Board, is expected to take three to nine months, depending on initial testing results. The operation follows a December 2024 Madhya Pradesh High Court order mandating the waste's removal within four weeks, citing decades of inaction. Local residents and activists near the disposal site have expressed concerns about potential environmental and health risks, despite assurances from authorities regarding stringent safety measures, including a four-layer filtration system. The tragedy, caused by a methyl isocyanate gas leak, killed over 5,000 people immediately and left long-lasting health and environmental impacts.