Thu Jan 02 03:27:35 UTC 2025: ## Toxic Waste from Bhopal Gas Tragedy Site Moved Under Heavy Security
**Bhopal, India** – A high-security operation is underway to transport 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the abandoned Union Carbide factory in Bhopal to a disposal plant in Pithampur, 250 kilometers away. The waste, remnants of the devastating 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, is being moved in twelve specially designed containers under police escort, accompanied by ambulances and fire brigades.
The transportation, which began late Wednesday, is overseen by a senior police officer and adheres to strict safety protocols. The 200-meter radius around the factory was sealed before the transfer, and approximately 200 workers, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and working in short shifts, oversaw the loading.
The waste, consisting of soil, pesticide residues, and other chemicals, will be incinerated at a state-of-the-art plant in Pithampur, the only such facility in Madhya Pradesh. The incineration process, which will follow strict scientific protocols, is expected to take between 51 and 153 days depending on the incineration rate. Real-time air quality monitoring is in place to mitigate environmental risks. Soil and dust samples from the storage area are also being tested.
However, the move has sparked significant opposition in Pithampur. More than ten organizations have called for a shutdown, protesting the decision and demanding the waste be sent abroad instead. A petition has also been filed by doctors questioning the disposal process without sufficient trials. The High Court had previously directed the disposal of the remaining waste by January 6, 2025, following a successful trial run in 2015. This latest operation marks a significant step in the long-term cleanup efforts following the tragedy that claimed over 5,000 lives.
First Piper 