900 Tonnes of Toxic Ash from Union Carbide Waste Causes Growing Concerns in Madhya Pradesh

Approximately 900 tonnes of hazardous ash, produced from burning waste at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, remains stored at Pithampur industrial hub in Madhya Pradesh. This situation has persisted for five months, causing growing concern among local residents. The waste, originating from the site of the 1984 gas tragedy, was incinerated in Pithampur, located in Dhar district.

The incineration process concluded in early July, involving 358 tonnes of material: 337 tonnes of toxic waste, 19 tonnes of contaminated soil, and 2.2 tonnes of packaging material. This operation took place over six months after the waste was transported from Bhopal. The incineration used a scientific method involving lime and other materials, resulting in around 900 tonnes of ash.

Disposal Concerns and Legal Challenges

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently instructed the state government to find a new disposal site for the ash. The court deemed its current location near human habitation unacceptable. The ash is presently stored safely in a leak-proof shed at the plant. Officials had initially planned to bury it in a landfill cell under construction at the Pithampur plant near Tarpura village.

On October 8, the Jabalpur bench rejected a proposal to bury the ash on-site due to its proximity to human settlements. "The present containment site for the toxic ash in proximity to human habitation is unacceptable to this court," stated the HC. An interim application revealed that mercury levels in the ash exceeded permissible limits according to a report by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board dated August 12, 2025.

Community and Environmental Concerns

Pithampur Bachao Samiti's head, Hemant Kumar Hirole, advocates for disposing of the ash in an isolated area. He fears that any accident or malfunction could severely impact both people and the environment. Hirole's petition is one of five being reviewed by the HC concerning Union Carbide waste.

Social activists oppose burying the ash near residential areas. They argue that such actions pose significant risks to public health and safety. Despite these concerns, officials maintain that emissions during incineration were within standard limits and did not harm workers or nearby residents.

Government Response and Future Plans

The state government has been directed to report on alternative sites for containing this ash. They must also disclose whether a global tender was issued to secure expert technical assistance for handling such hazardous waste. Government officials have refrained from commenting on disposal plans due to ongoing legal proceedings.

An anonymous official mentioned that a private company was contracted to dispose of Union Carbide waste by burying it in a dedicated landfill cell at Pithampur. The construction of this cell is nearing completion with all safety standards observed during its development.

Historical Context and Protests

The Union Carbide disaster occurred on December 2-3, 1984, when methyl isocyanate gas leaked from their pesticide factory in Bhopal. This incident resulted in over 5,479 deaths and thousands more injured, marking it as one of history's worst industrial disasters.

The waste was transported from Bhopal to Pithampur on January 2 this year amid protests from locals concerned about environmental and health impacts. Despite these protests, officials assured that no adverse effects were observed during incineration at Pithampur's plant operated by a private company.

Efforts over four decades aimed at disposing of this toxic waste both domestically and internationally faced cancellations due to protests before finally being incinerated this year at Pithampur's facility.

With inputs from PTI