Archive · 26 Sep 2025
Bhopal's Toxic Waste Ponds Continue to Pose Hazards
Imagine a place with ponds that used to hold dangerous waste from a chemical factory.
Even though the factory closed a long time ago after a big accident, the ponds are still there.
People are using these ponds, which is risky because the waste is still toxic.
Experts say this is very unsafe.
The government owns the land now, but a court case is still going on.
Until the case ends, there are no plans to make the ponds safe.
It has been a long time since the accident.
Solar evaporation ponds near the UCIL plant have not been closed.
The UCIL plant closed after the 1984 gas disaster.
SEPs were built to store hazardous chemical waste.
Clean-up work began before the sale of UCC's stock.
People use the SEPs, creating a public hazard.
- Who
- People of Bhopal
- What
- Using hazardous solar evaporation ponds
- When
- Since the UCIL plant closed in 1984
- Where
- Solar evaporation ponds adjacent to the former UCIL plant in Bhopal
- Why
- Ponds remain open and are used despite containing toxic waste.
Environmental Hazards
Government Response
Pond Safety
Environmental Hazards
The SEPs pose a hazard because people are using them as normal ponds.
Government Response
The government is custodian of UCC property. A strategy for land use will be developed after the case is disposed of.
- Location
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Event
- Solar evaporation ponds remain open
- Pond Purpose
- Store hazardous chemical waste and byproducts
- Plant Closure
- Following 1984 gas disaster
- Clean-up Oversight
- Indian authorities including CBI and MPPCB