Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a twist of irony, the state government, which had protested incineration of UCC chemical waste in Pithampur earlier has been told to do the same job following a High Court order. In a recent order, Madhya Pradesh High Court asked state government to clean up UCC waste on 40th Bhopal gas tragedy.

Four weeks’ time has been given to government to finish the job. As gas victims oppose incineration in Pithampur, here is a brief look at similar protest registered by state government in the past.

The state government had registered protest for incineration of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) chemical waste at Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited in Pithampur (Dhar ditrict) through a Special Leave Petition filed in Supreme Court in 2012-13.

Former environment minister Jayant Malaiya had stated that this incineration would pollute Indore’s Yeshwant Sagar Dam, the water source for its people. Former minister Babulal Gaur too had opposed it. The then commissioner of gas relief Mukesh Varshney had stated that Pithampur facility was located too close to Tarpura village and the incineration would expose its residents to toxic fumes. IN-LAWS SET ABLAZE

As per affidavit of state government through SLP, toxic waste lying at UCIL factory in Bhopal is a chemical waste contenting pesticides, which is categorised as Hazardous Waste in entry number 29 in schedule 1 of Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008.

The facility in Pithampur is surrounded by habitation of people, which may be exposed to the side effect of gas fuels, which may get released while incinerating the toxic waste of VCIL factory in Bhopal. Tarpura village, located 250 metres away from Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSTF) in Pithampur, has 105 houses.

Within the distance of two-three kilometres of TSTF lies a developed industrial sector. If any mishap takes place while incinerating the toxic waste, it will adversely affect industrial sector and people working in the industries.