The Madhya Pradesh government is facing strong opposition over plans to burn chemical waste from the Union Carbide factory in Pithampur. This waste is connected to the tragic Bhopal gas leak that happened in 1984, which killed thousands of people. On Saturday, there were protests, and a crowd even threw stones at the facility where the waste is stored.
After two people tried to set themselves on fire during these protests, state officials took action. Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain told reporters that they would ask the High Court for more time to safely handle the waste. He said, “We will make sure to involve the community in our plans.”
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also spoke about the situation, assuring residents that the government would prioritize their safety. He promised that any decisions made regarding the waste would be in line with what the court says.
The High Court had previously criticized the state for taking too long to deal with this waste, which consists of 337 tonnes that were moved to Pithampur recently. Yadav said any waste disposal action would be based on the court’s direction.
The director of the Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Department explained that if everything looks safe, they could burn the waste in three months, but it might take longer if issues arise. For now, the community’s concerns will be shared with the court before any further steps are taken.
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