NGT requests CPCB and MP government to evaluate hazardous waste in Bhopal’s Union Carbide plant

New Delhi/Bhopal 26 December : .

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), has ordered the Central Pollution Control Board, (CPCB), and Madhya Pradesh government determine the actual situation of hazardous waste at Union Carbides defunct factory in BhopalPrincipal bench of tribunal has requested that situation be analyzed by the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) and Bhopal District Magistrate and that final report submitted to tribunal within two months.

Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, retired, is the NGT Chairman.The next hearing in this case will be held on March 9, 2022.

On December 22, the tribunal ruled in the case of a 2017 complaint that was filed on the grounds of media reports showing that hazardous wastes were still being left at the factory and elsewhere.Union Carbides factory in Bhopal had been responsible for the worst industrial accident 37 years ago.It was due to a toxic gas leak that occurred on December 2nd, 1984 "Considering the severity of this allegation it seems necessary to ascertain factual position in matter through a Joint Committee of the CPCB State PCB and District Magistrate Bhopal," said the NGT.He added that the State PCB would be the agency responsible for coordination and compliance regarding ascertaining hazardous waste.The joint committee will conduct an inspection visit within two weeks.

According to official reports, Madhya Pradesh had in June initiated plans to dispose off 337 tonnes of hazardous waste at the factory premises to build a monument to victims of the Bhopal gas disaster.Officials familiar with the situation told IANS, however, that they were still working on the plan to dispose of 337 tonnes of hazardous waste due to multiple reasons including the Covid-19 pandemic.

An official speaking on condition anonymity said that the tendering process is underway to hire a private agency in order to dispose of hazardous waste.However, Bhopal Gas Disaster victims advocates claimed that the 337 metric tons of hazardous waste is only 2%.There has not been a comprehensive scientific evaluation to determine the exact amount of hazardous materials in the premises.The first step is to determine what chemicals exist, at what depths, and from what distances.

Once that information has been gathered, an environmental remediation plan could be developed.Rachna Dahingra, activist, stated that "without doubt, much attention must be paid to the thousands of tonnes worth of toxic sludge, which is buried outside of the factory and leaching poisons to the soil into the groundwater.

" pd/v #CPCB #evaluate #waste #Bhopals #Delhi #Madhya Pradesh #Bhopal #Covid-19.