Bhopal Plans New Contamination Study at Union Carbide Site After Waste Incineration
A senior official from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department revealed plans for a fresh scientific survey of contamination levels at the former Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) site. This announcement comes exactly one year after Madhya Pradesh incinerated 348 metric tonnes of toxic waste from the defunct plant.
Chief Minister's Visit Sparks Action
The move follows Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's site visit on January 16, 2026. During his inspection of the 67-acre plot, Yadav reviewed forward-looking redevelopment options for the area. Officials now emphasize a step-by-step approach to addressing the lingering environmental hazards.
"Reassessment of soil contamination in and around the UCIL premises is our next phase," the official stated clearly. "We cannot move forward with any land use plans until this reassessment happens."
Why a New Study is Necessary
The official pointed out that the last comprehensive contamination report dates back almost twelve years. A 2010 government study had identified alarming levels of pollution, including:
- Over 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil
- One tonne of mercury
- Nearly 150 tonnes of underground waste
- 337 metric tonnes of toxic waste stored at the site
"A new study will establish the type and depth of remaining contaminants," the official explained. "Naturally, after more than a decade, we expect updates. Remediation becomes our next priority once we have current data."
Committee Oversight and Timeline
The Central Oversight Committee, chaired by the Union Environment Minister, flagged the need for new soil studies during its June 2023 meeting. This committee includes state officials, experts, and representatives from several scientific institutions:
- NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute)
- NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute)
- CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board)
- IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology)
- MPPCB (Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board)
The official confirmed that the proposed scientific study would require approximately two years to complete. The call for this fresh assessment appears directly in the minutes of the June 2023 committee meeting.
Activist Concerns and Court Disputes
Meanwhile, activists argue that clearing 348 metric tonnes of stored waste addressed only a fraction of the problem. ND Jayaprakash, co-convener of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti (BGPMSS), cited a NEERI report estimating nearly 1.1 million metric tonnes of contaminated soil and underground waste still at the UCIL site.
"It remains a disputed site as the criminal case continues," Jayaprakash emphasized. "We want a memorial for the victims. Using the word 'redevelopment' here seems ridiculous."
The activist alleged that thousands of tonnes of buried toxic waste at twenty different locations remain untouched even after four decades. This matter continues to be contested in ongoing court proceedings.
