Centre to cough up Rs310 crore for Bhopal cleanup

The union government has decided to bear the cost of cleaning up the toxic waste lying at the defunct Union Carbide plant in Bhopal since the gas leak disaster 25 years ago, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday. 

''Based on the recommendation of the group of ministers on the Bhopal gas disaster, the government of India has decided to bear the cost of environmental remediation of the Union Carbide plant site,'' minister of state for chemicals and petrochemicals Srikant Jena told the house. 

''The remediation cost estimated at Rs310 crore has been approved and will be released on endorsement of the specific project proposals for remediation and waste disposal work to be submitted by the Madhya Pradesh government,' Jena said. 

The minister made this statement to the upper house in reply to a question on clearing up the highly dangerous toxic wastes lying unattended at the Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) plant site. 

The gas leak over 25 years ago left over 25,000 dead and maimed thousands of others. 

The minister said the state government has to send its proposal for environmental restoration of the plant site in consultation with the oversight committee, working under minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh.