Bhopal gas tragedy: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with Madhya Pradesh HC order on shifting Union Carbide waste to Pithampur

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to intervene in the Madhya Pradesh high court’s decision to shift toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy to Pithampur in Dhar district for disposal.

A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih also refused to halt the trial run for waste disposal scheduled for the day.

The court observed that expert bodies such as NEERI, NGRI, and CPCB had provided their assessments, which were considered by both the high court and an expert panel.

It advised civil society members and other concerned parties to approach the high court, which is already handling the matter.

On February 25, the apex court had sought details on safety measures being taken for waste disposal. Around 377 tonnes of hazardous material from the now-defunct Union Carbide India Ltd plant has been moved to the Pithampur industrial area, located about 250 km from Bhopal and 30 km from Indore, for treatment.

The Bhopal gas disaster, one of the world’s worst industrial tragedies, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, when methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide factory, killing 5,479 people and leaving over five lakh affected.

(With inputs from agencies)

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