Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Phase-1 Trial Incineration Of UCC Waste To Be Held In Pithampur Today As SC Refuses To Intervene In Madhya Pradesh HC's Decision

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to intervene in the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision regarding the disposal of toxic UCC waste that dates back to 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The waste is set to be shifted to Pithampur in Dhar district for disposal.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih also refused to halt the trial run for waste disposal scheduled for the same day. The court noted that experts from NEERI, NGRI, and CPCB had reviewed the matter, and their recommendations were considered by both the high court and the expert panel.

Regarding the first trial run scheduled on February 27, the Supreme Court stated that further action should be taken as per the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order. It also appreciated the ongoing efforts being carried out under the guidance of experts. 

The bench advised affected parties, including civil society members, to raise their concerns before the high court, which is already handling the case.

40 years of world’s worst disaster 

On February 25, the Supreme Court had sought details on the safety measures in place for the disposal process. Approximately 377 tonnes of hazardous waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory were transported to a disposal facility in Pithampur, located around 250 km from Bhopal and 30 km from Indore.

The Bhopal gas tragedy, one of the world's worst industrial disasters, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, when the highly toxic gas methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked from the Union Carbide plant. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 5,479 people and left over five lakh injured.