Supreme Court Rejects Petitions Against Trial Disposal Of Union Carbide Toxic Waste

On Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected petitions opposing the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order for a trial disposal of around 340 tonnes of toxic waste from Union Carbide.

A government official told IANS, “Now the state government can proceed for trial run of the toxic waste in batches.”

Petitioners had argued before the court that the government had not presented a comprehensive study to the Madhya Pradesh High Court and had also failed to obtain clearance from the Pithampur local body for incinerating the waste at a private facility.

They claimed that the state secured trial approval based on incomplete information.

A panel comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih stated that any objections should be directed to the state High Court overseeing the matter, according to an intervener and a government representative speaking to IANS.

Meanwhile, government advocates defended the incineration plan, citing approval from a high-power committee.

The Supreme Court urged petitioners to raise any objections before the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Following the ruling, the state government will move forward with the trial disposal as per the High Court’s directions.

Reports indicate that a heavy police presence has deployed at the private facility in Tarpura village, Pithampur, in Dhar district, near Indore.

Following Central Pollution Control Board guidelines, the disposal process involves incinerating the toxic waste at feed rates between 90 kg/hour and 270 kg/hour.

Each trial run will likely last three to four days, with authorities monitoring environmental and local impacts.

Waste Transfer From Union Carbide Site

Previously, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had instructed the state to conduct the trial disposal in batches and report back by 27 March.

The waste, stored at a facility in Tarpura, originally housed at the Union Carbide site in Bhopal for 40 years following the 1984 gas tragedy.

In compliance with a court order issued on 3 December, the state government reported that by 1 January, the waste had packed into 12 fireproof, leakproof containers and transported under police escort, following strict safety protocols.

Public concerns over potential hazards led to protests, partly fuelled by misleading media reports.

However, the court, in a 6 January order, directed the government to proceed with disposal as per regulations.

Meanwhile, a few individuals sought a stay on the trial run from the Supreme Court, but it dismissed their petitions.

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