By The Sampadak Express
In a significant milestone nearly four decades after the Bhopal gas tragedy, the complete disposal of 337 tonnes of hazardous waste from the defunct Union Carbide plant has been accomplished. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) confirmed on Sunday that the incineration was completed at a specialized facility in Pithampur, nearly six months after the waste was transferred there.
The disposal was carried out following directives from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, marking a key step in addressing the long-standing environmental and health concerns surrounding the 1984 industrial disaster.
Final Phase Concludes After Nearly Two Months
According to MPPCB regional officer Srinivas Dwivedi, the final phase of incineration comprising 307 tonnes of waste began on May 5 and concluded in the early hours of June 30.“
The incineration process began at around 7:45 PM on May 5 and was completed at 1:00 AM on the intervening night of June 29-30,” he said.
Previously, 30 tonnes of waste were incinerated in three trial runs, bringing the total to 337 tonnes.
Real-Time Monitoring, But No Health Impact Report Yet
The disposal was monitored in real time by experts from both Central and State Pollution Control Boards. The waste was incinerated at a controlled rate of up to 270 kg per hour.
Dwivedi stated that no health issues were reported in surrounding areas during the process, though no formal health impact study has been released.
The waste included toxic remnants such as pesticide residues (including Sevin and naphthol), reactor waste, and contaminated soil from within the Union Carbide factory. Authorities clarified that the material contained neither methyl isocyanate the gas responsible for the 1984 disaster nor any radioactive substances.
Ash and Residue to Be Buried by Year-End
The incineration byproducts, including ash and other residue, are currently sealed in leak-proof containers within the facility.“
Special landfill cells are being developed to scientifically bury this residue. If all goes as planned, this final phase will be completed by December,” said Dwivedi. The residue will undergo pre-treatment to ensure no environmental harm.
The toxic material was transported under tight security to the Pithampur plant in Dhar district about 250 km from Bhopal on January 2, 2025.
A Tragic Legacy
The Bhopal gas tragedy, which occurred on the night of December 2–3, 1984, remains one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. A leak of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide pesticide plant killed at least 5,479 people and left tens of thousands injured or suffering long-term health issues.
This final incineration marks a long-overdue but crucial step toward environmental justice and the closure of a harrowing chapter in India’s industrial history.
