After four decades of the hazardous gas leak that occurred in 1984 and the tragedy that unfolded afterward, Bhopal has been finally able to get rid of the toxic waste.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
On December 3, 1984, almost 45 tons of the dangerous gas methyl isocyanate escaped from an insecticide plant that was owned by the Indian subsidiary of the American firm Union Carbide Corporation.
The toxic gas drifted over the densely populated neighbourhoods around the plant, killing thousands of people immediately and creating a panic as tens of thousands of others attempted to escape from Bhopal. The final death toll was estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000 people. In addition over half a million survivors suffered respiratory problems, eye irritation or blindness, and other health issues resulting from exposure to the toxic gas.
Ridding the toxic waste after 40 years
Twelve containers of hazardous waste which consist of remnants from the Union carbide disaster are being sent to Pithampur from Bhopal in major operation under heavy security, according to the media reports. The toxic waste is being transported through a 250-kilometer-long green corridor, with a convoy of ambulances, police vehicles, and fire brigades. Fifty police personnel from Bhopal are escorting the containers.
The 337 metric tonnes of toxic waste was stored at the abandoned Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. Ahead of the shift, the factory’s 200-meter radius was sealed. Extensive Preparations were made for the safe transportation of the waste.
Around 200 workers were involved in the process, who worked in short, 30-minute shifts. They stuck to strict safety measures, including the use of PPE kits.
There has been massive resistance to the waste disposal from the civil society in Pithampur, where the waste is headed. More than 10 organisations have called for a shutdown tomorrow, demanding the waste be sent abroad instead of Pithampur.
Doctors from Indore’s Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Alumni Association have filed a petition questioning the waste disposal process without adequate trials.
Pithampur Plant
The waste disposal plant in Pithampur is the only state-of-the-art incineration plant in Madhya Pradesh. It is operated by Ramky Enviro Engineers under CPCB guidelines. The waste will be burned on a special wooden platform built 25 feet above the ground.
The burning process will also follow strict scientific protocols. Initial testing will determine the season, temperature, and quantity for incineration.
At a speed of 90 kg/hour, it will take approximately 153 days to dispose of all 337 tonnes of waste. If the speed is increased to 270 kg/hour, it will take 51 days.
Special care is being taken to prevent environmental contamination. Air quality is monitored using equipment installed at three locations within the factory campus.
Dust and soil from areas where the waste was stored are also being transported for testing.
What The Waste Comprises
The toxic waste includes five types of hazardous materials, including soil, pesticide residues, and chemicals left from manufacturing processes. The disposal operation comes nearly 40 years after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which claimed over 5,000 lives due to the release of methyl isocyanate gas.
In 2015, part of the waste was incinerated at the Pithampur plant as part of a trial run, burning 90 kg per hour. Based on this success, the High Court directed the disposal of the remaining waste by January 6, 2025.
