The final disposal of toxic waste buried at the Union Carbide factory complex for 40 years has begun. According to Swatantra Kumar Singh, Director of Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Department, this waste is the chemical waste after methyl isocyanate gas leak, which is to be burnt in Pithampur.
By Prashant Pandey
Published Date: Wed, 01 Jan 2025 11:56:17 AM (IST)
Updated Date: Wed, 01 Jan 2025 12:01:48 PM (IST)
HighLights
- The process of removing toxic waste from Union Carbide factory begins.
- There is no action plan to eliminate the effects of poison in soil and water.
- Further action will be taken only after the order of the High Court.
Madanmohan Malviya, Naiduniya, Bhopal. The process of final disposal of toxic waste buried for 40 years at the Union Carbide factory complex has been expedited. Meanwhile, the big question is whether the factory will be completely free from this waste after the waste that is being removed now. Naidunia asked public questions on this issue to Swatantra Kumar Singh, Director of Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Department.
He said that disposal of 40 years old toxic waste of Yucca means the end of a dark chapter. Complete action is being taken following the order of the High Court. This is happening while I am in office, it is also a matter of personal pride for me. Here are the main excerpts from the conversation with him…
Question: What kind of waste was there in the Union Carbide factory premises, which is being sent for destruction?
Answer: This is the chemical waste after the methyl isocyanate gas leak that occurred on the night of 2-3 December 1984. In compliance with the court order dated December 3, 2024, this chemical waste is to be burnt in Pithampur.
Question: After removing 337 tonnes of waste, is this factory completely free from toxic waste?
Answer: Yes, we can assume that the factory will be completely free from chemical waste. In fact, the case of the 40 year old tragedy has been going on in the court for 20 years. There was a total of 347 tonnes of garbage here, out of which 10 tonnes have already been burnt and now the remaining will also be burnt as soon as possible.
Question: Has any action plan been made to remove the effects of poisons and heavy metals in soil and underground water?
Answer: At present the orders of the High Court are for disposal of waste. If the court gives any order on the points mentioned by Naiduniya, then action will be taken in future. However, scientists have already taken samples of soil and water and tested them.
Question: Even after the report of garbage burning is positive, people are protesting, why are they not being talked to?
Answer: No protest is being made anywhere. Now the Collector of Dhar, Bhopal has given the report. The report of the garbage that was burnt in 2015 is available. It has not caused any environmental damage of any kind. Talks have been held with local citizens and farmers. We are assuring that there will be no negative impact.
