Bhopal Gas Tragedy Aftermath: 40 Years Later, Hazardous Waste Finally Moves for Disposal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: After 40 years of waiting, a critical chapter in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is being addressed as 377 tonnes of hazardous waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory have been transported for disposal. On Wednesday night, the waste was carefully moved in 12 sealed container trucks along a 'green corridor' to the Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district, located 250 km from Bhopal.

The waste removal follows the directive of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and comes after extensive protests and legal challenges. Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department Director Swatantra Kumar Singh confirmed that the operation, which took nearly seven hours, was conducted under strict safety protocols to ensure no contamination or harm.

The waste will be safely incinerated at a disposal unit in Pithampur, and the residue will undergo testing to ensure no harmful substances remain. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reassured the public that the waste is not poisonous, and the technology used for disposal is safe. Despite local protests, officials have assured that the incineration process will follow scientific guidelines to minimize any risks to the surrounding environment and communities.

This long-delayed move marks a significant milestone in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy’s lingering legacy and represents another step towards remediation and justice for the victims of one of the world’s deadliest industrial disasters.