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Toxic Ash Buried Near Homes: Court Demands Answers
4 Sep
Summary
- Groundwater testing report filed by MPPCB in MP high court.
- Court seeks report on 800 metric tonne of residual ash disposal.
- Next hearing on October 15, 2026, to review findings.
The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has filed a report with the state's high court regarding groundwater testing near the abandoned Union Carbide factory. This report is part of a public interest litigation (PIL) aimed at addressing the spread of toxic waste from the site.
The High Court has given parties two weeks to comment on the MPPCB's report. Additionally, the court has directed the MPPCB to submit a report within a week concerning the disposal of 800 metric tonnes of ash resulting from the incineration of 337 metric tonnes of packaged toxic waste. This incineration occurred near human habitation in Pithampur, and the residual ash was subsequently buried in a landfill at the same facility.
Questions were raised by environmental groups regarding the high mercury content found in the ash and its disposal methods. While the state government's counsel asserted that all parameters were within permissible limits, the court requested a formal report for its own assessment.
The next hearing in this matter is scheduled for October 15, 2026.
