Unloading of chemical waste from Union Carbide factory starts at unit in Dhar district

Dhar, Feb 13 (PTI) The process of unloading 337 tonnes of hazardous waste, transported from Bhopal-based defunct Union Carbide factory in container trucks, began at an incineration unit in Pithampur industrial area in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Thursday, an official said.

The exercise, which began at around 3 pm by adhering to all safety norms, was launched in the presence of local representatives and administration, he said.

Only the containers packed with chemical waste are being unloaded, and no burning process is being carried out as of now, the official maintained.

In January, protests had rocked Pithampur, around 50 km from Dhar district headquarters, after the waste was brought to a private facility for incineration. Those objecting to the move claimed it would harm the local residents' health and the environment.

Pithampur SDM Pramod Singh Gujar, in an audio and visual clip, said, "We have brought local representatives to the Ramky plant, where containers are parked. The waste is being unloaded from the trucks following all safety regulations." "The claims about the start of burning process are incorrect. No misinformation or false rumours should be spread. The waste is being unloaded from the trucks in the presence of all representatives, and no further activity is taking place at the unit," Gujar said.

On Wednesday, a group of people performed 'shavasana' (corpse pose) to protest against the disposal of waste in Dhar district. PTI COR LAL KRK RSY

Source: PTI