NEW DELHI: Nearly 40 years after the nightmarish Bhopal gas tragedy, hundreds of tonnes of toxic waste still blight the Union Carbide India Limited premises, keeping the memory of the disaster alive. Despite numerous court orders and warnings, the hazardous remnants continue to pose significant health and environmental risks.
Over the past 40 years, Bhopal’s real estate sector has grown, albeit slowly and haphazardly. The disaster severely dented the city’s development compared to other state capitals. Today, a prominent shopping mall-cum-entertainment centre stands just 4 kilometres from the disaster site, and numerous residential colonies have emerged on the previously vacant land, overlooking the ongoing pollution issues.
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The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984 remains one of the worst industrial disasters in history, with significant political implications, especially concerning the role of the Congress Party in the aftermath, particularly about Warren Anderson, then chairman of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). In the wake of the 1984 tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives and left countless more suffering from severe health issues, efforts were made to manage the toxic waste.
The Union government released ₹126 crore to the Madhya Pradesh government to dispose of 337 metric tonnes (MT) of hazardous waste collected in 2005. However, a 2010 study revealed the presence of an additional 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, one tonne of mercury, and nearly 150 tonnes of underground waste which is all still unaddressed.
The 2005 collection of waste was deemed “incomplete” by the 2010 report, which called for excavation and remediation of the remaining toxic waste. Despite this, a comprehensive reassessment has yet to be conducted. The state government has not commenced the disposal of the 337 MT of waste, citing administrative issues.
Over the years, studies have found heavy metals and other toxic substances contaminating groundwater in residential areas outside the factory. These pollutants pose severe health risks, including cancer, and experts warn that the contamination could spread further. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has repeatedly criticized the government’s inaction, noting that the accumulated chemical waste continues to leach into surface and underground water, contaminating even river bodies during rainy seasons.
The contamination stems from solid, semi-solid, liquid, and tarry wastes generated during pesticide manufacturing, indiscriminately dumped by UCIL between 1969 and 1984. The factory shut down following the gas leak disaster, which occurred on December 2-3, 1984. In 2004, the Supreme Court acknowledged the extensive damage to groundwater and drinking water supplies due to negligent waste management and lack of enforcement by authorities.
Despite the ₹126 crore allocated in March for waste disposal, progress remains stalled. The need for a fresh study to reassess toxicity levels has been acknowledged but not acted upon. The 2010 study’s findings have become outdated, and there is an urgent need for a comprehensive reassessment.
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The Bhopal gas tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the catastrophic potential of industrial negligence. Immediate and decisive action is necessary to address the toxic legacy left behind and prevent further environmental and health hazards. As the world looks back on the 40-year aftermath, the call for stricter industrial regulations and effective waste management has never been louder.
The tragedy, with its lingering aftereffects, underscores the critical need for vigilance and accountability in industrial operations. The health and safety of future generations depend on the lessons learned from this haunting disaster.