After forty years of the Bhopal gas tragedy that claimed the lives of 5000 people, the shifting of about 337 metric tonnes of chemical waste stored at the chemical waste stored at the Union Carbide factory site commenced on Wednesday for its disposal.
Twelve trucks loaded with toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory site in Bhopal left headed towards Pithampur industrial area near Indore at 9:05 p.m.
The waste disposal was being conducted under the supervision of the district administration, municipal corporation, pollution control, and health department. In order to maintain security over 1000 police officers were deployed.
The disposal of waste was carried out through Bhopal, Sehore, Dewas and Indore to reach Pothampur. To ensure the safe transportation, 12 containers moved at an average speed of 50 kilometers per hour. The convoy included police escorts, ambulances, doctors , fire brigade units and a quick response team.
What did the waste contain?
The waste had five types of materials,including remnants of Sevin, a pesticide produced at the Union Carbide factory , methyl isocyanate (MIC), reactor residues, contaminated soil and other chemicals used at the plant.
Additionally, it included 162 metric tonnes of soil, 92 metric tonnes of Sevin and naphthol residues, 54 metric tonnes of semi processed pesticides, and 29 metric tonnes of reactor waste.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which unfolded during the night of December 2-3, 1984, stands as one of the most devastating industrial disasters in history. The tragedy was triggered by the accidental release of approximately 40 metric tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India.
The immediate aftermath was harrowing, with around 5,000 people losing their lives within days and over half a million others suffering from long-term health effects. Survivors continue to battle chronic respiratory issues, neurological disorders, and a disturbing rise in birth defects. The disaster was caused by a combination of safety lapses, poor maintenance, and a malfunctioning refrigeration system that allowed water to infiltrate a MIC storage tank.
In the years since, legal actions have been taken against Union Carbide and its executives, but many victims contend that justice has not been fully served, pointing to inadequate compensation and ongoing health struggles. The site remains heavily contaminated with toxic waste, and efforts to remedy the situation continue. Each year, on December 2, memorials are held to remember the victims and call for justice, underscoring the enduring impact of the tragedy on industrial safety and environmental policy.
