Activists oppose move to incinerate Carbide toxic waste at Pithampur
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INDORE:
Local activists in Pithampur, have expressed serious concern over state
government's move to incinerate toxic waste from Union Carbide
factory, Bhopal at the Pithampur-based TSDF facility of Ramky Enviro
group. They have threatened to intensify their stir against the
government decision.
Lok Maitri, a local NGO, that had been opposing the move for quite some time, termed the decision as 'unfortunate'. Co-ordinator of Lok Maitri, Gautam Kothari, said, "We are planning to meet affected villagers shortly to decide further course of action." The NGO has sought an audience from the environment minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, but have failed.
The state government, that was opposing the move by the Centre for incineration of the toxic waste at Pithampur, had on Monday agreed to conduct trial run to dispose of the toxic wastes. Union government has presented a schedule in the Supreme Court and the state government will submit a timeline about it on January 13. This was informed by Commissioner, Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation (GRCC), R A Khandelwal. Trial run of 10 ton toxic waste at TSDF facility in Pithampur would be conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The entire process is likely to be completed within ten weeks after a go ahead from the apex court.
The activists are worried about the impact the incineration was likely to have on the people living in the villages, located at a radius of 250 metre from the Ramky's facility. About 800 villagers are likely to be affected by the move.
Another activist, Prof R D Prasad, said, "Until the affected villagers are made aware of the hazard and impact of the move on health, it's difficult to oppose government's move. Hence, we are planning to create awareness among the affected villagers".
While interacting with activists some time back, the former environment minister, Jayant Mallaiya, had made it clear that incineration of toxic waste will not be allowed by the state government at any cost. Even chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan had denied about any such move. Even, the then union minister for environment, Jairam Ramesh, had himself visited the facility and clarified that it will not be proper to undertake the incineration of the waste here.
Activists believe that the state government has taken the decision keeping in view the utilisation of fund of Rs 100 crore, which has been set aside by the Centre for the purpose.
Talking to TIO general secretary of INTUC, Shyam Sunder Yadav, said, "Forget Pithampur, the proposed incineration will make life hell for all Indore residents. Except Narmada river, there are three sources from where water is supplied to the city which include Yeshwant Sagar, Sirpur and Bilawali and all the three sources will get polluted in case the incineration was undertaken at the venue."
Lok Maitri, a local NGO, that had been opposing the move for quite some time, termed the decision as 'unfortunate'. Co-ordinator of Lok Maitri, Gautam Kothari, said, "We are planning to meet affected villagers shortly to decide further course of action." The NGO has sought an audience from the environment minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, but have failed.
The state government, that was opposing the move by the Centre for incineration of the toxic waste at Pithampur, had on Monday agreed to conduct trial run to dispose of the toxic wastes. Union government has presented a schedule in the Supreme Court and the state government will submit a timeline about it on January 13. This was informed by Commissioner, Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation (GRCC), R A Khandelwal. Trial run of 10 ton toxic waste at TSDF facility in Pithampur would be conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The entire process is likely to be completed within ten weeks after a go ahead from the apex court.
The activists are worried about the impact the incineration was likely to have on the people living in the villages, located at a radius of 250 metre from the Ramky's facility. About 800 villagers are likely to be affected by the move.
Another activist, Prof R D Prasad, said, "Until the affected villagers are made aware of the hazard and impact of the move on health, it's difficult to oppose government's move. Hence, we are planning to create awareness among the affected villagers".
While interacting with activists some time back, the former environment minister, Jayant Mallaiya, had made it clear that incineration of toxic waste will not be allowed by the state government at any cost. Even chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan had denied about any such move. Even, the then union minister for environment, Jairam Ramesh, had himself visited the facility and clarified that it will not be proper to undertake the incineration of the waste here.
Activists believe that the state government has taken the decision keeping in view the utilisation of fund of Rs 100 crore, which has been set aside by the Centre for the purpose.
Talking to TIO general secretary of INTUC, Shyam Sunder Yadav, said, "Forget Pithampur, the proposed incineration will make life hell for all Indore residents. Except Narmada river, there are three sources from where water is supplied to the city which include Yeshwant Sagar, Sirpur and Bilawali and all the three sources will get polluted in case the incineration was undertaken at the venue."
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