Trial Incineration of Union Carbide Toxic Waste Begins in Madhya Pradesh

The 72-hour process, monitored by environmental experts and local authorities, aims to safely dispose of 10 metric tonnes of hazardous waste from the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy site.

The trial incineration is taking place at the Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) in Pithampur, following a Madhya Pradesh High Court order from February 18, 2025.
The first trial involves burning 10 metric tonnes of mixed toxic waste, including soil, reactor residues, and semi-processed pesticide waste, at temperatures reaching up to 1200°C to neutralize harmful compounds.
The Supreme Court rejected petitions to halt the trials, dismissing concerns over health risks and environmental contamination, and the process is being closely monitored by national and state pollution control boards.
Additional trial runs are scheduled for March 4 and March 10, with results to be submitted to the court by March 27 to evaluate the environmental impact and determine the feasibility of full-scale disposal.
The toxic waste, abandoned for 40 years after the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy, was transported to Pithampur in January 2025 under tight security following extensive public awareness campaigns and consultations.