In Bhopal, about 230 kilometers from Pithampur, activists are raising concerns about waste disposal efforts. They believe these actions are just a distraction from the larger problems at hand. Since the disaster occurred decades ago, toxic materials have contaminated the area, especially the groundwater.
A recent report estimates there are over 1.1 million tonnes of polluted soil still at the Union Carbide factory site. Environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman highlights the government’s focus on disposing of just 337 metric tonnes while ignoring the much larger contamination issue in Bhopal. Rachna Dhingra, another activist, notes that the contamination has worsened over time, but the government has done little to help.
Official estimates say that around 3,500 people died soon after a tragic gas leak. However, activists argue that the death toll is much higher, with many victims still suffering from the effects. Jayaraman remarks that the fears of Pithampur residents regarding pollution are justified.
Officials claim they are following court directives regarding waste management. However, this has only deepened the mistrust among the people of Pithampur, who are ready to protest against the ongoing waste disposal efforts. Local vegetable vendor Shivnarayan Dasana shares a sentiment that this issue is about much more than waste. “It’s about survival – ours and our children’s,” he emphasizes.
