Raising Awareness on the Impact of Incineration for Union Carbide Waste Disposal
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Bhopal, Jan 7 (NationPress) To ensure the safe disposal of Union Carbide's waste following established safety protocols, the government of Madhya Pradesh is set to raise awareness among the residents of the Pithampur industrial area, as stated on Tuesday by State Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.
The Minister highlighted that the state government will utilize the six-week timeframe allotted for the secure disposal of hazardous chemical waste, commencing the process after gaining the trust of the local population.
He emphasized that the concerns of every individual residing near the Pithampur industrial town will be addressed through effective communication.
During a press interaction held in Bhopal on Tuesday, veteran BJP leader and minister Vijayvargiya remarked: "There is considerable misunderstanding surrounding the waste from Union Carbide, which has led to a law and order situation in Pithampur. This issue will be resolved through direct communication with the concerned citizens."
The minister added that a team of government officials, alongside experts, will engage with the community in Pithampur industrial town for constructive discussions on the matter.
He assured that residents would be informed that the toxicity levels of the accumulated waste have diminished to zero, as it has been stored for an extended period.
"In the upcoming meetings, officials will provide comprehensive presentations regarding the Union Carbide waste scheduled for disposal at Pithampur. Residents of varying ages, including women and children, will be invited to participate in these sessions. Small group gatherings will be organized to ensure accurate dissemination of information regarding the impact of chemical waste," he added.
Government teams visiting the Pithampur industrial town will also educate the public about the gases that may be released during the incineration of Union Carbide's waste, and the methods employed to filter these gases before their release into the atmosphere. The minister reiterated that effective communication is essential to prevent further unrest.
It is noteworthy that the Madhya Pradesh High Court granted the state government six weeks on Monday to dispose of Union Carbide's waste in accordance with safety protocols, emphasizing the importance of involving the residents of Pithampur industrial town in the process.
The court's directive comes amid ongoing protests in Pithampur, located in Dhar district, where the government plans to incinerate the 358 tonnes of waste transported from the Union Carbide facility.
The government has also sought the court's permission to open the twelve large containers currently stationed at the incineration site to unload the waste, citing the need to avoid long-term storage in the containers.
However, the court stated: "In the order dated December 3, 2024, this court instructed the removal of waste material from Bhopal and its disposal according to established norms. Therefore, no further orders are necessary for unloading the waste material. It is the responsibility of the state to unload and dispose of the waste as directed by this court."
