A group of concerned doctors has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, challenging the planned disposal of 337 metric tonnes of toxic waste from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy site. The waste is scheduled for processing in Dhar, alarming local communities and environmental advocates.
In the night of December 2-3, 1984, a catastrophic leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal resulted in one of the worst industrial disasters in history, claiming the lives of 5,479 people and affecting over five lakh others. Decades later, the disposal of remaining toxic waste continues to stir controversy and concern.
The PIL, spearheaded by Dr. Sanjay Londhe, president of the Alumni Association of Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore, along with oncologists S S Nair and Vineeta Kothari, argues that the proposed disposal method poses significant health risks. The doctors claim that the process, intended to take place at a private facility in Pithampur, approximately 30 kilometers from Indore, could potentially increase cancer rates and respiratory issues among the local population.
“The authorities have failed to consult the communities in Pithampur and Indore, which already suffer from industrial pollution due to the presence of numerous factories,” stated the petition. The area lacks a proper government hospital, raising concerns about the community’s ability to handle potential health crises resulting from the disposal.
The petition also highlights past directives from the Supreme Court urging the safe and timely disposal of the waste, which have not been adequately followed, according to the PIL. In response to these concerns, the doctors have requested the court to form a special bench to address this urgent environmental and public health issue immediately.
The plea further seeks the establishment of a judicial committee, chaired by a sitting High Court judge, to thoroughly assess the potential impact of the waste disposal on the health of citizens and the environment in Pithampur and its surrounding areas.
