Bhopal: Expressing concern over the poisonous waste, Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he felt sorry that the government smuggled out 40 tonnes of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory to an incinerator 230 km away at a site in Pithampur.
"It is a matter of great anguish that the waste was lying in the factory`s premises even after 25 years of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy", Ramesh told reporters after public consultation on National Mission for a Green India here.
He said three organisations have carried out studies on the waste and its disposal and we are looking at it.
"No haste will be made for its disposal," he said adding technical examination of reports will be carried out, and NGOs will be consulted before its safe disposal.
On a study which suggests that the waste should be put in bunkers and then sealed, he said, "we are looking at all the safe ways of disposing it."
Regarding reports that the waste was contaminating the ground water, he said it was a matter of concern.
He said while the disposal work will be carried out by the state government, it will be funded by the Centre.
PTI
