The Madhya Pradesh High Court has mandated a phased approach to dispose of 30 metric tonnes of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, currently stored at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant. In a recent order dated February 18, 2025, the court directed authorities to conduct trial runs at the Pithampur waste disposal facility, emphasizing strict adherence to safety protocols.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain ordered the disposal of 10 metric tonnes of waste in each phase, starting February 27, 2025. The bench stated:
“We hereby direct the respondents to undertake the first trial run of 10 metric tonnes by taking all protocols into consideration on 27.02.2025. If there are no adverse effects, the second trial run will follow on 04.03.2025 and the third on 10.03.2025. After due testing, remaining waste disposal will proceed.”
The court scheduled the next hearing for March 27, 2025, to review trial run reports and assess environmental and public health impacts.
The State Government submitted a detailed status report highlighting measures to ensure transparency and public awareness. Key actions include:
- A January 11, 2025, meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary to address public concerns.
- Simplified summaries of 2013 and 2015 trial run reports to be shared with local communities.
- A six-week action plan by the Bhopal Gas Relief Tragedy Department to engage environmental and medical experts in public communication.
The report also confirmed that all waste had been unloaded without public unrest. Eleven representatives from Dhar district petitioned the Collector to conduct small-scale trial runs and share results before full disposal.
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Earlier, on January 6, 2025, the court prohibited media from spreading misinformation about the disposal process. It reiterated compliance with its December 3, 2024, order, which mandated safety audits and community consultations.
Multiple stakeholders, including the Union of India, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, and Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti, participated in hearings. Advocates representing petitioners and respondents emphasized rigorous monitoring to prevent ecological harm.
The first trial run on February 27 will test disposal protocols over 3–4 days. Subsequent phases depend on outcomes, ensuring minimal risk to public health and the environment. The court stressed that transparency and scientific validation remain critical to restoring trust among affected communities.
The court has posted the matter on March 23 with the reports of the trial runs.
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