Jobaaj Stories
After 40 years, the dangerous waste from the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal is finally being removed. The waste includes chemicals and pesticide leftovers from the 1984 gas tragedy. It has been stored at the old Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. Now, the waste, which weighs 337 metric tonnes, is being sent to a special plant in Pithampur, about 250 kilometers away.
The transportation of the waste started on Wednesday evening. The waste is being moved in 12 large containers, each holding about 30 tonnes. These containers are safe and designed to prevent leaks and fires. The authorities are making sure everything is done safely. To protect the area, 50 police officers are escorting the waste along with ambulances, fire trucks, and other emergency services.
Before moving the waste, the area around the factory was closed off for safety. Around 200 workers carefully prepared the waste for transport, and they wore special protective clothes to stay safe. They worked in short shifts to avoid fatigue.
Once the waste reaches Pithampur, it will be burned at a special plant. This plant is the only one in Madhya Pradesh that can handle this kind of waste. The burning process will follow strict safety rules to protect the environment. They will first test the best temperature and speed to burn the waste. At the current speed of burning 90 kg per hour, it will take about five months to finish. If the speed is increased, it could be done in about two months.
Some people in Pithampur do not agree with this plan. They want the waste to be sent abroad instead of being burned locally. Some doctors have also raised concerns, asking if the burning process has been tested properly.
The government has been ordered by the High Court to get rid of the waste by January 6, 2025. A trial burning of the waste was done in 2015, and it was successful. The authorities are also watching the air quality and environment to make sure everything stays safe.
