Union Carbide toxic waste to be disposed of at DRDO, Nagpur

The Madhya Pradesh government is reportedly making preparations to move the toxic waste on the closed factory premises of Union Carbide.

Sources in the government say the idea is to transport it to a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) site at Nagpur. DRDO is said to be ready to receive the waste and a go-ahead has also come from the MP Pollution Control Board.

“The state government will submit a reply in the Jabalpur high court next week and the waste can be disposed of at any time,” the insider said.

He added, “The government has made preparations to move the waste through surface transport, on guidelines issued by the state pollution control board.”

Government officials were not available for comments.

In late 1984, in what is considered the world’s worst industrial disaster, poisonous gas leaked from the Carbide factory, killing hundreds of people and affecting thousands. About 346 tonnes of toxic waste is on the premises of the factory, leaching into the ground and contaminating water sources.

Earlier, the state government had secretly arranged for transporting 40 tonne lime sludge. Many non-government bodies protested and said they would not allow this.

“Environment minister Jairam Ramesh has assured no furtive moment will be there and NGOs will be informed whenever there is movement of waste,” said Rachna Dhingra, an activist for the survivors, who want Dow Chemicals (that bought Carbide later) to dispose of the waste.