All 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal have been completely incinerated at a disposal facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, an official confirmed on Monday. This marks a significant milestone nearly six months after the waste was brought to the plant and decades after the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

Of the total, 30 tonnes were incinerated earlier during three trial runs. The remaining 307 tonnes were burnt between May 5 and the night of June 29–30, according to a State Pollution Control Board official. This disposal was carried out in compliance with a directive from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Bhopal disaster occurred when the highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide factory on the night of December 2–3, 1984, killing at least 5,479 people and injuring thousands more.

The burning of the 307 tonnes of waste began at 7:45 PM on May 5 and concluded around 1:00 AM on June 30. The process took place at a maximum incineration rate of 270 kg per hour, under the supervision of experts from the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. Real-time monitoring ensured that emissions remained within safe limits throughout the operation.

No adverse health effects were reported among residents living near the plant, the official added. Residual ash and other remains from the incineration are currently being securely stored in leak-proof sacks. Plans are underway to bury the residue in specially constructed landfill cells following scientific guidelines, with completion expected by November and final disposal by December.

The waste, which included contaminated soil, reactor remains, pesticide (Sevin) and naphthalene residues, was transported from Bhopal to Pithampur—about 250 km away—on January 2. Tests conducted during trial incinerations at various burn rates confirmed that emissions stayed within permissible standards. The State Pollution Control Board noted that the chemical impact of Sevin and naphthalene had significantly diminished, and there was no presence of methyl isocyanate or radioactive substances in the waste.