40 Years After Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Authorities Begin Clearing 377 Tons Of Toxic Waste

Around 100 people who worked in 30-minute shifts also underwent health check-ups as they packed the toxic waste from the now-closed Union Carbide factory 40 years after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

The now-closed Union Carbide factory, which was the site of the toxic gas leak that caused the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, in Bhopal.

Source : PTI

Forty years, after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, authorities are clearing out the some 377 tons of toxic waste left behind from the defunct Union Carbide factory, on Wednesday night. According to PTI, the hazardous waste is being moved in 12 sealed containers to the Pithampur industrial area in the Dhar district, 250 km away from Bhopal.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department Director Swatantra Kumar Singh, that a green corridor was created for the 12 trucks’ non-stop journey Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district in seven hours, which started at 9 pm.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: The toxic waste from Bhopal's Union Carbide Factory is being taken away in containers to Pithampur, to be discarded. pic.twitter.com/7yB8CCWdxC

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He said around 100 people worked in 30-minute shifts since Sunday to pack and load the waste in trucks, as per PTI. Around 100 people workers underwent health check-ups while they worked in 30-minute shifts since Sunday to pack and load the waste in trucks.

Highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984. At least 5,479 people were killed and leaving thousands with serious and long-lasting health issues.

It is considered to be among the worst industrial disasters in the world.

On December 3, the Madhya Pradesh High Court rebuked the authorities for not clearing out the factory despite directions from the Supreme Court and further set a four week deadline to move the waste,  the court noted that even after 40 years, after the tragedy, the authorities were in a "state of inertia". The high court bench had warned the government of contempt proceedings if its directive was not followed.

According to PTI, Singh said that if everything is found to be “fine”, the waste would be incinerated within three months or it will take nine months.

The authorities will burn some of the waste first in Pithampur and the residue (ash) will be examined to look for any harmful elements are left. The smoke from the incinerator will pass through special four-layer filters so that the surrounding air is not polluted, Singh added.

Once it is confirmed that no traces of toxic elements are left, the ash will be covered by a two-layer membrane and buried to ensure it does not come in contact with soil and water in any way. A team of experts under the supervision of officials of the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board will carry out the process, Singh said.

In 2015, local activists claimed that 10 tons of Union Carbide waster was burnt on a trial basis in Pithampur, after which the soil and underground water as well as water sources in surrounding villages were polluted. Singh rejected these claims, adding there wasn’t any reason to worry.

On Sunday, a large group of people, from Pithampur protested to oppose the disposal of Union Carbide waste in the city, which has a population of about 1.75 lakh.

Demand Restoration FCRA For Sambhavna Trust

An organisation working to the Bhopal gas tragedy victims' welfare launched an indefinite sit-in to demand restoration of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of Sambhavna Trust involved in providing healthcare to the survivors of the disaster.

Union Carbide Poison Victims Healthcare Rights Front launched the protest, stating that the Union Home Ministry should facilitate speedy FCRA registration for the Trust. On Sunday, Sambhavna Trust Clinic which provides specialised care for survivors of the Union Carbide disaster was shut after its funds finished due to the delay to restore the FCRA registration, the Front claimed.

The sit-in was launched in Bafna Colony, a km from the defunct Union Carbide Factory with the song "We shall overcome", according to PTI. Many survivors registered for long-term care at the clinic run by the Sambhavna Trust participated in the protest. The 14 participants of the sit-in included survivors receiving care at the clinic, members of survivors' organisations and staff members of the clinic.