A massive, four-decade-long task was set in motion between December 29 and January 1 to safely dispose of 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the infamous Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant in Bhopal. This waste, which has been stored on-site since 2005, was carefully repacked and transported to Pithampur, near Indore, in 12 containers. The waste, including pesticide residues and contaminated soil, will eventually be incinerated at a waste management facility run by Re Sustainability Ltd.
A Long-Awaited Operation
The waste was generated during pesticide production at UCIL between 1969 and 1984 and was dumped in the plant premises. Although unrelated to the 1984 methyl isocyanate gas leak that killed thousands, the clean-up is a significant milestone for residents who have faced long-term health issues due to contamination.
“This operation felt momentous,” said a senior scientist involved in the task, emphasizing the historical and emotional significance of the project. The clean-up was ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which directed an immediate safe disposal of the toxic material.
A Safe and Careful Process
The repacking and transportation process was carried out with strict safety measures. 40 workers worked in 30-minute shifts to carefully pack and label the hazardous waste, adhering to hazardous waste management rules. A green corridor was created to ensure safe transport from Bhopal to Pithampur, with fireproof and leak-proof containers escorted by emergency vehicles.
The Incineration Process
Once the waste reaches Pithampur, it will be stored in a designated area for testing. The waste will be analyzed to understand its composition, including chemical and heavy metal content, before being incinerated. Incineration is a complex process that involves profiling the waste to determine optimal combustion rates and minimize harmful emissions.
In 2015, a trial incineration of a similar batch of waste from the UCIL plant showed that the process could be carried out safely while controlling emissions. The incineration of the current batch is expected to generate around 900 MT of ash and flue gas, which will be carefully disposed of in an environmentally safe landfill.
Ongoing Efforts and Challenges
While this marks a crucial step in cleaning up the hazardous waste from the UCIL plant, the work is far from complete. Further remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater at the plant site will be required, and a comprehensive clean-up plan will be developed by both state and central authorities.
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