North India Statesman
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Bhopal Gas Tragedy Toxic Waste: About 40 years ago a gas tragedy occurred in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. More than 5 thousand people died in this. This disaster is considered one of the biggest disasters in human history. About 377 tonnes of hazardous waste has been removed from the long-closed Union Carbide plant. Within a few days, a large number of people were marching against this garbage in Pithampur. Chief Mohan Yadav said that several experiments have been done before removing the garbage and this decision will be taken after consultation with the concerned departments.
According to news agency PTI, the process of garbage removal was started on the night of January 1. The toxic waste was loaded in 12 sealed container trucks and taken to Pithampur Industrial Area in Dhar district, 250 km from Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh government in action after High Court’s decision
Madhya Pradesh government has taken this action after the decision of the High Court. A week ago, Madhya Pradesh High Court had given a big blow to the government. The High Court raised questions over non-removal of garbage by the factory in Bhopal. The court asked the government why the waste is not being disposed of despite continuous instructions? Whereas along with the High Court, the Supreme Court has also issued instructions regarding this. During the hearing, the High Court said, ‘a state of inaction’ could lead to another tragedy.
The GPS equipped truck reached the factory early in the morning
Half a dozen trucks equipped with GPS reached the Union Carbide factory site in the morning to take the toxic waste to Indore. There was also a leak proof container with it. Employees wearing PPE kits, Bhopal Municipal Corporation employees, people from environmental agencies, doctors and waste disposal experts were also present at the incident site. Police personnel have also been deployed around the factory. Agency sources said that under the plan, toxic waste will be burnt in Pithampura, Indore. This area is about 250 km away from the capital Bhopal.
250 kilometer long corridor is being built
Director of Madhya Pradesh Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Swatantra Kumar Singh said that a 250 kilometer green corridor is being built to transport the toxic waste to Pithampura. However, he did not mention the date of transportation and disposal of the waste. But sources say that the garbage will reach Pithampura by January 3.
Garbage will burn to ashes in 3 months!
Director Swatantra Kumar Singh said that initially some of the waste will be burnt at the waste disposal unit in Pithampur and the residue (ash) will be scientifically tested to find out whether any harmful substance is left in it or not. If everything goes well, the garbage will burn to ashes in three months. But if the burning rate is slow, it may take up to 9 months. The smoke coming out from burning garbage in the kiln will pass through a 4 layer filter, due to which the surrounding air will not be polluted. Every moment of this process will be recorded.
Waste will be disposed inside the double layer
Swatantra Kumar Singh said, once the garbage is burnt and freed from harmful elements, the ash will be covered with a two-layer strong ‘membrane’ and buried in the ‘landfill’. This will be done to ensure that the waste does not come in contact with soil and water in any way.
People around Pithampura are protesting
However, there is another side to this whole process. A group of people and social workers around Pithampura are protesting against burning of garbage there. According to people, in 2015, 10 tons of Union Carbide waste was destroyed as a test in Pithampur. Due to which the soil, groundwater and water sources of the surrounding villages have been polluted. However, Swatantra Kumar Singh rejected this claim.
High Court slapped the government
Let us tell you that on December 3, Madhya Pradesh High Court had given a deadline of 4 weeks to shift the toxic waste from the factory. The High Court said that this is a regrettable situation. The court warned the government that contempt action would be taken if the instructions were not followed. The division bench of Chief Justice SK Kait and Justice Vivek Jain made a strong comment, saying, ‘We do not understand why the work of removing toxic waste has started despite the directions given from time to time by the Supreme Court and the High Court. Has not happened.’ When the garbage removal plan was on March 23, it was 2024. The next hearing on this issue will be held in the High Court on January 6.
More than five thousand people died
Let us tell you that on the night of 2 December 1984, poisonous gas methyl isocyanite (MIC) was leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal. 5,479 people died in this disaster. The health of more than five lakh people was adversely affected due to the gas leak. Whose effect is still visible on many people even today. After this accident many people became victims of disability.
