The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere with the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order regarding the shifting and disposal of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.
The hazardous waste, originating from the now-defunct Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) plant, is set to be disposed of in the Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and A G Masih also refused to halt the trial run for the disposal of the waste, which was scheduled for Thursday.
The court observed that expert agencies, including the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), had already examined the matter and provided their assessments.
These expert opinions were reviewed both by the Madhya Pradesh High Court and a specialised expert panel before arriving at a decision.
The Supreme Court directed aggrieved parties, including civil society organisations and concerned individuals, to take up their grievances with the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which continues to oversee the case.
Also Read: 40 yrs post-Bhopal gas tragedy, Union Carbide waste unloading starts
On February 25, the apex court had sought details from the authorities regarding the precautions taken for the safe disposal of the toxic waste.
According to official reports, approximately 377 tonnes of hazardous waste from the UCIL factory in Bhopal have been transported to the Pithampur industrial area, located around 250 kilometers from Bhopal and 30 kilometers from Indore, for treatment at a designated facility.
The Bhopal gas tragedy, which occurred during the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, remains one of the world's worst industrial disasters.
A leak of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from the UCIL plant led to the deaths of at least 5,479 people, while over five lakh individuals suffered severe injuries, long-term health complications, and environmental damage.
The disaster continues to have lasting repercussions on the affected communities, with legal and environmental concerns persisting for decades.
Also Read: SC examines disposal of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy waste
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