Mon Dec 02 18:33:39 UTC 2024: ## Bhopal Gas Tragedy: 40 Years On, Toxic Waste Remains Unremoved Despite Funding

**Bhopal, India** – Forty years after the devastating Bhopal gas tragedy, 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory remain unremoved, despite ₹126 crore (approximately $15 million USD) allocated by the central government for its disposal, social activists allege.

The disaster, which occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, resulted from a leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, claiming the lives of 5,479 people and injuring over 500,000. The legacy of the tragedy extends beyond the immediate death toll; an additional 1.1 million tonnes of contaminated soil continues to pollute the surrounding area and water sources, according to ND Jayaprakash of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsha Sahayog Samiti.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently expressed its displeasure over the lack of progress in waste removal, despite the funding allocated in March. A hearing on the matter, originally scheduled for October 24th, was postponed due to Diwali vacations.

Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information & Action highlights the inadequacy of past efforts. While 345 metric tonnes of surface waste were collected in 2005, this represents a minuscule fraction of the total contamination. Previous attempts at incineration, including a trial by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and a proposal from a German firm, have faced obstacles, including legal challenges and public opposition.

Concerns have been raised regarding the cost-effectiveness of the current ₹126 crore plan, with activists questioning why it significantly exceeds a previous, less expensive proposal. Jayaprakash alleges potential misuse of taxpayer funds, noting the high per-tonne disposal cost. He plans to raise this issue in the upcoming High Court hearing.

Alternative solutions, such as using a closed-loop incinerator or transferring the waste to Dow Chemicals (Union Carbide’s successor) for disposal in the United States, have been suggested by activists. The continued presence of this hazardous waste underscores the lingering consequences of the Bhopal gas tragedy and the ongoing struggle for environmental justice and remediation.

Read More