Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): State medical education minister Vishvas Sarang on Sunday reiterated his commitment for construction of memorial at site of Union Carbide India Limited plant by removing dumped chemicals waste. Memorial will generate employment, DME minister added.
Bhopal gas tragedy had left an estimated 15,000 people dead more than a quarter century ago.
Gas victims and NGOs have raised concern over issue of employment vis-à-vis construction of memorial.
Bhopal Group for Information and Action (BGIA)’s Rachna Dingra said, “State government floated tender in April-May 2021 for removal of 337 metric tons of chemical waste. Several metric tons of chemicals lie buried at UCIL plant site. It is an eye wash to construct memorial.”
Earlier, Supreme Court had order to destroy chemicals in incinerator at Pithampur and trial was also conducted.
In 2012, Supreme Court had ordered disposal of toxic waste at Pithampur waste treatment storage and disposal facility (TSDF) in Dhar district. The order passed on April 4, 2012, directed the authorities to first carry out trial runs and then incinerate the waste.
