– Pervez Bari
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has deferred the hearing on a petition challenging the state government’s decision to incinerate Union Carbide’s hazardous waste at Pithampur. The hearing is now scheduled for February 18.
During the recent proceedings, the government submitted an affidavit requesting additional time for waste disposal and seeking permission to unload the toxic material currently stored in containers. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain, heard arguments from both sides before deciding to defer the hearing.
The petition, initially filed by MGM Alumni Association, Indore, in the Indore bench, has since been transferred to the Jabalpur bench. The petitioners argued that the government’s decision to transfer the waste to Pithampur for incineration was made unilaterally, without consulting local residents. Advocate Abhinav Dhanotkar, representing the petitioners, highlighted the potential risks posed by the hazardous waste, noting that Pithampur is only 30 kilometres from Indore. The waste – 337 metric tons of it – could pose significant health and environmental threats to nearby populations.
The state government sought the court’s directives to ensure safe and controlled disposal of the material. The High Court permitted the government to unload the waste from the containers while adhering strictly to safety protocols and existing guidelines.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the transfer of hazardous waste to Pithampur was carried out as per Supreme Court orders. He emphasised that Pithampur is the only facility in the state equipped to handle such chemical waste. He also assured that public feedback on the disposal proposal would be welcomed during the six-week period before the next hearing.
Chief Secretary Anurag Jain clarified that the chemical waste was moved from the factory site following court orders. He reassured the public that the waste would be incinerated only after addressing local concerns and resolving potential issues.
Jain added that a trial run for burning the waste at Pithampur had been conducted successfully. Scientific studies, including tests by AIIMS and the Central Pollution Control Board, confirmed that the waste does not contain hazardous substances. He assured that air quality and gas emissions during the incineration process would be monitored. If any problems arise, the government will prioritise public welfare.
