Bhopal:
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh tried to play peacemaker in Pithampura, where villagers have stepped up their agitation against the waste management facility alleging contamination of ground water. Villagers fear that the rest of 350 tonnes of toxic waste lying at the Bhopal Union Carbide plant will be incinerated over here without stepping up required safety, aggravating their plight further.
Tough questions for the Environment Minister from angry residents of Tarapura. The village is barely 300 metres from the incinerator facility at Pithampur, a violation of the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines that stipulate a two km buffer zone.
The facility that has been operating since 2006 is set to receive 350 tons of toxic waste from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal.
Two years ago, 40 tonnes of toxic waste from the Bhopal plant was disposed of here at night, without informing the local residents. Villagers say the groundwater has been contaminated, leading to problems like rashes and skin irritation.
"After drinking water or taking a bath, the skin becomes irritable, even rashes appear... After drinking the water, there's a burning sensation, said a resident of Tarapura village Baburam.
Jairam took samples of water from a well, and promised no incineration of the 350 tonnes of the Union Carbide toxic waste would be done unilaterally.
Commenting on the issue, Union Minister of State for Environment Jairam Ramesh said, "Both the Centre and the state government will get together and do a study on what the impact of this facility has been on local water and animals."
Are they drinking contaminated water? Their fear is genuine or unfounded, the minister promises to give the answer after four months. But the question how long will they continue to live in constant shadow of danger, the minister, it seems, has no answer.