Authorities prepare 50 master trainers to dispel fears about disposal of Carbide waste in Dhar

Madhya Pradesh authorities coach trainers to dispel misinformation about Union Carbide waste disposal in Pithampur.

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Monday (January 13, 2025) started coaching 50 master trainers about 337 tonnes of Union Carbide factory waste brought to Pithampur for incineration before they set out to spread awareness that the waste is not hazardous.

The State government has gone on the backfoot after the public outcry against waste disposal and two self-immolation bids in the Pithampur industrial area, which witnessed protests earlier this month.

Talking to PTI, Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra said, “We are preparing 50-odd master trainers, including science teachers, professors and officials. They will be informed about the exact status of the waste before they reach out to people to dispel misinformation.”

On January 6, the principal bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur granted the State government six weeks to act on the Union Carbide factory waste disposal as per the safety guidelines. The authorities had sought time to educate people and dispel their fear about waste disposal following protests in Pithampur.

Mr. Mishra said the master trainers will start their outreach on Tuesday (January 14, 2025), and 50 more master trainers will be roped in.

“We will give presentations via video with content and other mediums to master trainers,” he said.

On January 2, the waste, packed in 12 sealed containers, was shifted from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal to the disposal site at Pithampur, located 250 km from the State capital.