Supreme Court Upholds Incineration of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Waste

Supreme Court Decision on Toxic Waste Disposal

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India decided not to intervene in the incineration of hazardous chemical waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. This process is currently being conducted by a private disposal company located in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma reviewed a petition from a social activist who sought an urgent hearing regarding a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling from March 27.

The High Court had previously allowed the state government a period of 72 days to incinerate the waste collected from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal at the designated facility in Dhar.

During the hearing, the activist's lawyer emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that the 72-day timeline would conclude on June 8.

Despite the request for an expedited hearing, the Supreme Court declined to prioritize the case or suspend the High Court's order. The matter will be addressed after the court's vacation.

Justice Sharma remarked on the prolonged struggle with the waste, acknowledging his familiarity with the issue due to its origins in his home state.

He further stated that various NGOs and activists have made numerous attempts to address the situation, and the High Court is actively monitoring the incineration process, which is overseen by experts.

The toxic waste stems from a catastrophic incident in December 1984, when methyl isocyanate and other harmful gases escaped from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal.

Over 500,000 individuals were exposed to these toxic emissions, leading to at least 4,000 immediate fatalities, with government statistics indicating a total of 15,000 deaths linked to the disaster over the years.

On the anniversary of the gas tragedy, December 3, the High Court mandated a four-week deadline for the removal of the waste from Bhopal to Pithampur, criticizing authorities for their inaction despite previous Supreme Court directives.

On January 2, approximately 307 tons of hazardous material from the Union Carbide facility were transported to Pithampur in 12 secure, fire-resistant containers.

This transfer sparked significant backlash from local residents and activists, culminating in protests, including self-immolation attempts by two individuals on January 3.

The incineration process commenced at the disposal facility on May 5, with Madhya Pradesh State Pollution Control Board's Regional Officer Srinivas Dwivedi indicating that the operation would span 50 to 55 days.