Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) demanding daily live Air Quality Index (AQI) in the public domain on incineration of Union Carbide toxic chemical waste. Besides, the petition has demanded daily updates of water pollution in Pithampur.
Advocate Prabhat Yadav said, "We are demanding daily AQI in the public domain on the incineration of UCC waste at REEL, Pithampur. Water quality reports should be released on a daily basis in the public domain. Similarly, the government should take on the undertaking of safe incineration of UCC waste to maintain public faith.”
The plea was filed by Nagrik Upbhokta Manch PG Najpande. The NGT will hear the petition on Monday.
As per the petition, NGT should ask to direct the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh under oath to declare that such disposal of waste of the Union Carbide will not cause any harm to the residents of District Dhar, Pithampur, and Bhopal and their nearby area. NGT should direct Commissioner Municipal Corporation, District Dhar, and District Bhopal should declare that the residents of their city will be safe and they will not be harmed because of the disposal of waste by Union Carbide.
The plea further asks NGT to direct the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh to get the specific report regarding the disposal of the hazardous waste published in Hindi and English language newspapers, so as to pacify the fear of the general public.
Plea demands govt to publish report in English, Hindi newspapers
Till the final conclusion of the instant original application, NGT should direct the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh to publish the news in the public domain, the specific report regarding the disposal of this toxic and hazardous waste in Hindi and English language newspapers, so that the general public fear that has been spread in the minds of residents can be removed in the interest of justice.
People of District Dhar, Bhopal, and Pithampur fear health and environmental risks that incinerations of the hazardous toxic waste of Union Carbide may pose, further polluting soil and air. There is an apprehension among the public as thousands of people died in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy; therefore, the applicants have approached NGT.
