Bhopal Gas Tragedy: ’Our Attempt is to Avoid Politicisation!’ CM Mohan Yadav Says 'No Environmental Impact' from Toxic Disposal

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: In a historic development, 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory in Bhopal, MP were shifted to Pathampur in Dhar district. This marks a significant milestone in addressing the toxic legacy of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which has haunted the city for four decades. The operation was carried out with precision, adhering to stringent safety measures, and underlined the state’s commitment to resolving this long-standing issue.

CM Mohan Yadav Leads Efforts to Resolve Toxic Waste Crisis

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed the successful relocation of the toxic waste as a victory for the people of Bhopal.

#WATCH | On the removal of 40-year-old toxic waste from the Bhopal gas tragedy site, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav says, "...Around 358 metric tons of hazardous waste from Union Carbide has been removed from Bhopal. For the last 40 years, the people of Bhopal were living with… pic.twitter.com/0rErFXivfS

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2025

“Around 358 metric tons of hazardous waste from Union Carbide has been removed from Bhopal. For the last 40 years, the people of Bhopal were living with this waste. Many of Govt of India's organisations were involved in the disposal of this toxic waste...There has been no environmental impact due to the disposal of this toxic waste. The whole process went peacefully. It is also our attempt not to this issue be politicised,” Yadav said.

Tracing Back to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of December 2-3, 1984, remains one of the darkest chapters in industrial history. The accidental leak of methyl isocyanate gas claimed thousands of lives and left many more with chronic health issues. Despite the tragedy’s global notoriety, the toxic waste at the UCIL site remained a glaring reminder of the disaster for 40 years.

Safe Disposal of Toxic Waste Ensured in Pathampur

The hazardous waste from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy site was transported in 12 container trucks designed to meet Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards. These specialized vehicles are leak-proof, fire-resistant, and equipped with GPS tracking for real-time monitoring. The treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF) at Pathampur will safely incinerate the waste, ensuring no environmental harm and marking a critical step in addressing the toxic legacy of the tragedy.

The entire process was closely monitored to prevent contamination. Swatantra Kumar Singh, Director of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, highlighted the safety measures in place. “The trial run in 2015 demonstrated that waste disposal at this facility adheres to national standards. There is no adverse impact on the environment or agricultural activities in the region,” Singh stated.