Jabalpur: The High Court of Madhya Pradesh, in a hearing of the bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kaith on Monday, allowed the state government six months for the disposal of the chemical waster of Union Carbide, infamous for the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, in Pithampur and permitted the 12 toxic waste-laden containers to dump the waste in the factory store.
Earlier on Monday, the government presented a report of the steps taken so far on the High Court's order to dispose of the waste and sought six more weeks.
Advocate General Prashant Singh argued that the state government wanted six weeks to calm and understand the people of Pithampur who have been protesting the dump of waste. The Chief Justice granted the extended time.
On December 3, the High Court ordered that the chemical waste should be destroyed by scientific method.
Singh informed the High Court that as per its order, the state government created a green corridor, packed the waste in safe containers and transported it to Pithampur under the supervision of a team of police, doctors and trained people. But before the waste could be destroyed, the people of Pithampur tried to disturb the law and order due to fake rumours.
"Right now, this chemical waste is kept in 12 containers. But it cannot be kept for long. Therefore, allow it to be emptied in the storage of the factory where it is to be destroyed," Singh argued.
However, a petition has been filed by the Doctors Association of Indore in this matter. The Chief Justice said the waste is not being burned immediately and other parties related to this matter can be heard in another petition.
"The High Court had made three phases of action to destroy the chemical waste of Union Carbide. In the first phase, the chemical waste is to be destroyed by incarceration in an insulator. In the second phase, the factory is to be dismantled while in the third phase, the underground damage will be repaired," senior advocate Naman Nagarath, on behalf of the petitioner Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangh, said.
"Right now, as part of the first phase of action, this waste has been transported to Pitampura. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has not stopped the process of destroying the toxic waste. It has only given six weeks to the state government," he added.
The court made it clear that the government should take strict steps to restrain fake news and rumours. However, the process of incarceration will not start before the next hearing.
Also Read:
