Bhopal Gas Tragedy: 337 MT Toxic Waste Finally Burned After 40 Years

National News: Nearly 40 years after the world’s worst industrial disaster, the last traces of toxic waste left behind by the Union Carbide factory have finally been incinerated. For thousands who’ve lived in the shadow of the tragedy, it’s a step delayed toward healing and environmental safety.
The incineration of 337 metric tons of hazardous waste, left over from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, was completed in the early hours of June 30 at a waste disposal facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The process began on May 5 and took almost two months to complete.

Finally, after countless delays

After countless delays, court petitions, and environmental concerns, the Madhya Pradesh High Court finally directed that the remaining waste be disposed of safely.
According to officials, under the supervision of experts from the Central and State Pollution Control Boards, the process was carried out at a controlled speed of 270 kg per hour, under the. 30 tons of the waste had already been incinerated during trial runs before this operation, bringing the total to 337 tons.

“No Harm Done,” Say Officials

Shrinivas Dwivedi, Regional Officer of the MP Pollution Control Board, assured that the incineration process remained within environmental safety limits. Real-time monitoring of gas and particle emissions was conducted using an online tracking system.
“We did not receive any complaints of adverse health effects from the local population during the entire operation,” he said. The waste was burned inside a licensed private hazardous waste treatment facility in Pithampur, located about 250 km from Bhopal.

What Happens to the Residue?

Even though the waste is now burned, the process isn’t over yet. The ash and remaining byproducts have been sealed and stored in leakproof containers at the same facility. These materials will undergo further treatment before being safely buried in a specially designed landfill, construction of which is expected to be completed by November. If all goes according to plan, final disposal will be done by December 2025.

A Symbolic Step 

On the night of December 2-3, 1984, the Bhopal gas tragedy took place, caused by a leak of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide plant, killing thousands and leaving countless others with lifelong health problems. While many survivors feel justice has yet to be fully served, this final cleanupof the toxic waste is being seen as a small but significant milestone.
For many, this isn’t just about environmental safety. A reminder that while justice may be delayed, the memory of what happened in Bhopal continues to shape the country’s approach to industrial accountability and environmental responsibility.