Waste Removed, Scars Remain: Bhopal Gas Survivors Demand Justice for 40 Years of Poison

Bhopal: Ten days after the removal of 337 metric tons of hazardous chemical waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, the survivors of the gas tragedy remain stoic—immersed in their daily struggles barely reacting to the toxic legacy around them. The scars of the 1984 disaster and the contamination of their surroundings have become a grim part of their existence, resigned to a fate they can neither escape nor question.

A Partial Effort in Waste Removal

This partial waste removal mandated by the High Court is only a symbolic effort. The larger reality remains untouched. Soil and groundwater in Bhopal are still laced with toxic chemicals and neither the corporations responsible nor the government have addressed the lingering harm. In nearby Pithampur, chaos erupted when the hazardous waste arrived for incineration. Already burdened with industrial pollution, residents fear this will irreparably harm their land, water, and health, leaving them vulnerable to chronic illnesses and environmental degradation.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 6 gave six weeks to the state government for safe disposal of Union Carbide waste scheduling the next hearing for February 18. A petitioner claimed the government moved hazardous waste from the Bhopal gas tragedy without consulting Pithampur residents. MP government had sought time from the Court for the disposal of chemical waste amidst protest.

Addressing journalists on January 1, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh said, “The waste consists of 60% soil and 40% chemicals including naphthalene, a byproduct of pesticide production. Scientists suggest naphthalene loses its impact within 25 years. Since 40 years have passed, concerns about waste disposal are no longer relevant.”

MP Congress president Jitu Patwari met former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan at her residence seeking her support to stop incineration citing concerns about increased cancer risks for locals.

Widespread Contamination and Health Crisis

A NEERI report revealed that Union Carbide’s toxic waste was dumped across 21 locations, including a vast 32-acre solar evaporation pond at the abandoned factory. A breach in the pond’s lining in 1982 allowed chemicals to seep into groundwater, poisoning supplies for 48 nearby settlements. The contamination has led to severe health problems including damage to the brain, kidneys, liver, and congenital defects in children born decades later.

The frustration among survivors has now turned to anger. Faheem Uddin, who sells leather belts near the abandoned factory expressed his resentment. He questioned why it took four decades and court intervention to remove even a fraction of the waste. “Why didn’t they dispose of it immediately after the disaster?” he asked. “Allowing the waste to remain caused untold damage to our lives and health.”

A State-Sponsored Crime?

Environmentalist Abhay Dubey called the Bhopal gas tragedy a state-sponsored crime exposing systemic corruption as evidenced by the government’s decision to allow Union Carbide to operate in the city without scrutinizing waste treatment methods. “The factory’s waste has poisoned Bhopal’s groundwater for 40 years,” Dubey explained. “This negligence reflects a complete failure by the government. Even in 1984, India had the Water Act of 1974 and the Air Pollution Act of 1981. How could such blatant risks be ignored?”

He criticized the use of Pithampur for incinerating hazardous waste. “Groundwater contamination caused by Union Carbide’s waste doesn’t stay confined to Bhopal. It moves unpredictably. Pithampur has been handling toxic waste since 2012. This isn’t limited to Union Carbide—it includes waste from hundreds of industries more hazardous than Union Carbide ever was. The public was not informed or involved in decisions about environmental policies. The ongoing pollution shows a disregard for citizens’ health and safety. Critics who warn that Pithampur might become a “slow-motion Bhopal” are years too late; the damage has been ongoing for over a decade. If the poison isn’t from Union Carbide, does that make it any less toxic?” he asked.

The Supreme Court of India in 2003 directed all states to create dedicated landfill sites for the safe disposal of hazardous waste including provisions for incineration and deep burial, as part of a comprehensive hazardous waste management plan. Three sites in Madhya Pradesh—Pithampur, Jabalpur, and Rajgarh—were designated for this purpose. Yet, only Pithampur was developed.

Dubey emphasized the need for transparency, urging the government to release detailed reports on waste management and the rationale for using Pithampur. Despite Supreme Court guidelines, an IAS officer heads Madhya Pradesh’s Pollution Control Board ignoring the mandate for a scientist reflecting a disregard for laws.

Activists Demand Accountability

Activist Balkrishna Namdeo condemned the removal of toxic waste to Pithampur. He said that taxpayers are unfairly bearing the ₹126 crore expense for waste disposal, despite laws requiring industries to handle their own waste. Dow Chemical, which profits from its business in India must take responsibility for cleaning the Union Carbide site. “The waste should be removed from India entirely, as incinerating it in Pithampur or anywhere else in the country will only create new hazards. The government’s leniency toward multinational corporations prioritizes their interests over the nation’s well-being, compromising public health and environmental safety,” he stated.

In 2019, Hindustan Unilever was forced to send 300 tonnes of mercury waste from its Kodaikanal factory to the US for recycling and permanent disposal after years of legal battles and environmental campaigns.

Namdeo warned that Pithampur residents will face severe health risks if incineration proceeds. “Land used for such toxic waste disposal becomes barren, and we risk creating a new Bhopal by arbitrarily relocating the problem. The government must address not only the 337 metric tons of waste but also the toxins buried across 21 dump sites on the Union Carbide premises which continue to contaminate groundwater. These hidden poisons are far more dangerous than the packed waste,” he added.

Survivors’ Stories of Suffering

Zahoor Ahmed, a survivor of the gas tragedy, recounted the night of horror in 1984. “I was 15 years old when the gas leaked,” he said. “The air was suffocating, our eyes burned, and people were running aimlessly, choking and collapsing. My mother and father later died from gas-related illnesses. The poison aged me prematurely, and my children still bear its effects.”

Another survivor, Mohammad Afzal, lamented the lack of justice despite aid pouring in from across the globe. “I received ₹25,000 as compensation,” he said bitterly. “We stood in long queues like beggars to collect small amounts of ₹200 each month. If they couldn’t compensate us fairly, they should have left us to mourn in peace. Let us carry our pain silently. Even now, the waste removal feels like a charade. The land will likely be encroached upon for political gain instead of being rehabilitated for the victims.”