Bhopal Gas Tragedy's Toxic Waste Finally Removed After 40 Years
40 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, authorities finally removed 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the Union Carbide plant, but concerns about long-term environmental damage remain.
Union Carbide Corporation, an American chemical company, set up a plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, in 1969, which provided jobs and cheap pesticides to Indian farmers. Over time, the plant grew and became an important part of the local economy.
But on 3rd December 1984, a deadly gas called methyl isocyanate leaked from the plant into the air, causing one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. Most of Bhopal’s residents were asleep at that time, as safety measures were not in place. When they woke up, they complained of breathing problems, coughing, irritation in eyes and skin, rashes, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Around 2,300 people died immediately, and over 5,000 died within two weeks due to the effects of the gas. More than 5 lakh people were injured. The plant was shut down, and in 1989, Union Carbide agreed to pay $470 million as compensation to the Indian government in an out-of-court settlement. However, the compensation was very low—most victims only received ?25,000, and those who had died or suffered long-term health issues received nothing.
Even though the plant was closed after the tragedy, the city of Bhopal was left with long-term environmental damage. The land and groundwater around the plant site are still contaminated with dangerous chemicals. Tests have shown that the contamination levels are 50 times higher than what is considered safe, with chemicals that can cause cancer.
Sadly, babies continue to be born with birth defects like blindness and cerebral palsy due to the genetic effects of the toxic gas exposure.
In December 2024, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the local authorities to remove all the toxic waste left at the Union Carbide plant site within four weeks. The court questioned why the cleanup had taken so long and warned the authorities not to wait for another disaster to act.
Finally, on 2nd January 2025, authorities removed around 337 tonnes (3,370 kg) of toxic waste from the plant. The waste was taken to an incinerator facility about 230 km away from Bhopal. Officials said it would take between 3 to 9 months to safely treat and burn the toxic waste.
However, environmentalists and social activists are worried about the long-term effects of the incineration. They fear that the residue from the incinerated waste could contaminate the local soil and groundwater, causing more harm. They are also calling for Union Carbide and its new owner, Dow Chemical, to take responsibility for cleaning up the toxic waste in Bhopal, as they were the ones who caused the disaster.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy continues to be a painful chapter in India’s history, and the fight for justice and proper cleanup is still ongoing.
