Fresh survey to reassess contamination at Carbide site

Bhopal: A year after Madhya Pradesh incinerated 348 metric tonnes of toxic waste from the defunct Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) site, a senior official in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department indicated a fresh CSIR scientific survey of contamination levels at the tragedy site is being planned.The move followed chief minister Mohan Yadav's January 16, 2026 site visit, where he reviewed "forward-looking redevelopment" options for the 67-acre plot."Reassessment of soil contamination in and around the UCIL premises" is the next phase, the official stated, emphasising a step-by-step approach. The official noted the study would take about two years."Until reassessment of the site takes place, we cannot move forward with plans for land use. The last comprehensive report was almost 12 years ago. Call for fresh study is there in the minutes of the meeting." Officials said referring to the June 2023 meeting, the Central Oversight Committee flagged the need for a new study.A 2010 govt report had found over 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, one tonne of mercury and nearly 150 tonnes of underground waste, in addition to the 337 MT of toxic waste stored at the site. "A new study will establish the type and depth of remaining contaminants. Naturally, after more than a decade, updates are expected," the official said, stressing remediation as the next priority. Naturally, after more than a decade, updates are expected," the official added.The committee is chaired by the Union environment Minister with state officials, experts and representatives from NEERI, NGRI, CPCB, IICT and MPPCB—which flagged new soil studies in its June 2023 meeting, the official added. A new scientific study will establish the type and depth of remaining contaminants.Activists contended that clearing 348MT 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 at the UCIL site — a matter still before the courts. "It remains a disputed site as the criminal case continues. We want a memorial. Using the word redevelopment is ridiculous," he said, alleging thousands of tonnes of buried toxic waste at 20 locations remain untouched even after four decades.