Bhopal Gas Tragedy Survivors Demand Urgent Clean-Up Of Remaining 11 Lakh Metric Tonnes Of Toxic Waste

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Survivors of gas tragedy have intensified their demand for a comprehensive clean-up of approximately 11 lakh metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) plant.

So far, the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department (BGTRRD) has only managed to remove 337 metric tonnes of chemical waste, which was transported for incineration following a directive from the High Court.

In response to the survivors’ demand, Commissioner (Gas Relief) Swatantra Kumar Singh said, "As per the HC order, 337 MT of toxic wate is being cleaned up.”

The push for a thorough clean-up is rooted in a 2010 report by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI). This report revealed significant soil contamination at the UCC site, with toxic substances such as BHC, aldicarb, carbaryl, naphthol, and mercury found in alarming quantities.

The total volume of contaminated soil is estimated at 650,000 cubic meters, equivalent to about 11 lakh metric tonnes. In response to the crisis, BGTRRD has initiated clean-up operations, removing 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste and transporting it to a facility in Pithampur for incineration.

This operation was executed under strict security measures to ensure safety during transport. The incineration process is expected to take between three to nine months, depending on safety assessments.

Activists, including Rachna Dhingra from Bhopal Gas Information and Action (BGIA), said that the removal of just 337 metric tonnes represents "the tip of the iceberg."

They said that a total clean-up is essential to mitigate ongoing health risks posed by the remaining toxic waste. Concerns have also been raised about potential water contamination resulting from inadequate disposal methods, prompting calls for accountability from Union Carbide and its parent company, Dow Chemicals.

As the situation unfolds, Bhopal gas victims continue to advocate for immediate action to ensure environmental safety and public health in the affected areas.