Bhopal, July 1: The State Government on June 27 removed 40 metric ton of toxic waste from the abandoned Union Carbide Plant premises located Bhopal Railway Station and have been disposed of in Peethampur jointly by Madhya Pradesh Waste Management Project and Ramco Enviro Engineers India.

"About 40 metric ton chemical waste and clay (lime sludge) was transported from Union Carbide Plant premises on June 27 to Pithampur. The work was executed under the eyes of experts and officials", said JT Ekka, Director, Gas Disaster & Relief Department on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Minister for Gas Relief and Disaster Babulal Gaur and Ekka visited the Union Carbide Plant.

Now with the removal of 40 metric tones of toxic waste, only 300 tonnes of Carbides toxic wastes is lying in the premises of Union Carbide Plant.

It is worth mentioning that on December 3, 1984, thousands of people in Bhopal, were gassed to death after the chemical leak from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. Over the years thousands more are now being poisoned by toxic waste lying in the abandoned factory site since the day of the tragedy.

Since the tragedy, many NGOs working among the gas victims have urged the State and Union Government to fulfil the demands of survivor's which includes - supply of clean water in the gas affected localities and health care to the victims of gas tragedy.

Now the organisations have begun questioning the State Government over the removal of toxic waste and its disposal in Pithampur.

"The entire dumping operation was carried under the cover of darkness. It's a big question that in what manner hazardous toxic waste was removed, transported and disposed in Pithampur plant", said Abdul Jabbar, convenor Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS).

"What else can people do when their own government ignores their pain and dumps the toxic waste in its own land", said Jabbar.

It may be noted that the toxic waste was removed following the Supreme Court's March 17, 2008 directive to begin process of removing toxic waste by June 30, 2008 from the premises of Union Carbide Plant.

It is worth mentioning that earlier Ankleshwar, Gujarat was chosen to burn 340 tonnes of Carbides toxic wastes. But the plan failed to take off with the Gujarat government opposing the move on various grounds.

Institutions like IICT and NIRI had earlier given a report based on a thorough study that the chemical residues in the Union Carbide premises were not hazardous for human life.

On March 19, 2008 Madhya Pradesh High Court had issued orders to initiate the process of chemical residues' removal and this action had been taken in compliance of the same orders.

Instructions to check drinking water

Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Babulal Gaur instructed Ekka to have a survey of drinking water conducted in 14 gas-affected localities and submit its report within a week. These localities include Atal-Ayub Nagar, Chandbarh, New Arif Nagar, Nawab Colony, Shri Ramnagarm, Prem Nagar, Blue Moon colony, Garib Nagar, shiv Nagar, Sundar Nagar, Timber Market etc.