The Madhya Pradesh government informed the High Court that it can eliminate the toxic waste from the defunct Union Carbide Factory in Bhopal within 72 days through incineration at the Pithampur facility.

The State, in its affidavit, informed the High Court that the trial runs for disposing of 30 metric tons of waste—approved last month—were successful. It further stated that the remaining waste could be incinerated under the supervision of the Central and State Pollution Control Boards at an optimum rate of 270 kg per hour.

This development arises from a 2004 PIL challenging the government's alleged inaction in cleaning up the area surrounding the Union Carbide Factory. Four decades have passed since the Bhopal gas tragedy. The state informed the court that the Pithampur facility complies with the Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2007.  

Taking note of the submissions, the division bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain directed that "the exercise be done within time."

The Court has also directed the State to consider the suggestions put forth by the Bhopal Group for Information and Action (BGIA) regarding the safe disposal of toxic waste. BGIA has raised concerns that the proposed incineration process could triple the waste volume and increase the risk of future leaching.

"The biggest problem is that 300 metric tonnes of waste is being incinerated. 300 metric tonnes will not decrease. After the incineration is done, the amount of waste will be tripled and reach 900 metric tonnes. So we are spending 126 crores, tripling the 300 metric tonnes and then burying the same plastic which will leach in future. That is why we are saying that there are better ways of disposal…," activist Rachna Dhingra appearing for the body submitted today.

The Court then directed the State to take BGIA's suggestions into account. It orally remarked:

"...What is the better method, you show us. They will take into consideration. They will act as per the norms, they will act keeping in view the safety of the people. Therefore, they will not act as you suggest or anyone else suggests. If good suggestions are there, they will take it into consideration."