Bhopal Gas Tragedy: 377 Tonnes of Toxic Waste Finally Removed—What Lies Ahead?

Bhopal: Four decades after the devastating Bhopal gas tragedy, a significant step has been taken to address its toxic legacy. Hazardous waste from the abandoned Union Carbide factory has finally been transported for disposal. Beginning Tuesday night, 377 tonnes of toxic residue were sent to a disposal site in Pithampur, 250 kilometers from Bhopal, marking a critical move in mitigating the environmental and health crisis that has persisted since the 1984 disaster.

The operation follows sustained public pressure and a directive from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which criticized government inaction and set a four-week deadline for the waste relocation. A “green corridor” was established to ensure secure transportation, with the convoy leaving Bhopal at 9 PM. The convoy included 12 sealed, leak-proof containers and 25 support vehicles. Over 1,000 police personnel secured the site, while workers in protective gear handled the packing and loading process with strict adherence to safety protocols.

The hazardous waste consists of 162 metric tonnes of polluted soil, 92 metric tonnes of Sevin and naphthol residues, 54 metric tonnes of semi-processed pesticides, and 29 metric tonnes of reactor waste, much of which is linked to methyl isocyanate (MIC)—the chemical responsible for the 1984 disaster. The tragedy exposed over 500,000 people to toxic gas, resulting in at least 5,479 deaths and lifelong health issues for survivors.

The waste has been transported to a facility operated by Ramky Enviro Engineers in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh’s only modern incineration site approved by the Central Pollution Control Board. While authorities assure enhanced safety measures, including leak-proof sheds for waste handling, local activists remain apprehensive. They cite a 2015 incident where earlier waste from Union Carbide contaminated soil and water, fueling protests and community concerns over environmental safety.

The removal of toxic waste is seen as progress, but activists and survivors stress that it is only a partial resolution. They demand comprehensive measures, including medical aid for affected communities, groundwater remediation, and stricter oversight of disposal processes. As the operation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this marks the end of a long-standing crisis or the beginning of new challenges.