Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh): With locals strongly against burning UCC waste at Ramky Enviro Engineers, a waste management company located in Sector-2 of the Pithampur Industrial Area, heavy police force has been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident.
SAF jawans from the 15th battalion have been deployed at the Ramky company premises, and barricades have been erected at fifty locations throughout the industrial area to restrict access to Tarpura village and surrounding areas where the company is situated.
On Tuesday evening, Dhar SP Manoj Kumar Singh convened a meeting of police and administrative officials to assess the security situation and address the growing public concern.
SP Manoj Singh said a meeting was held with district administration officials in Pithampur regarding the security arrangements for the Union Carbide waste coming to Ramky in Pithampur.
In this meeting, there was an in-depth discussion on several points related to law and order and reaction of the local population. Locals including Luter Singh Pawar and Anadi Bai, who live in close proximity to the Ramky plant, expressed deep apprehension about the potential health hazards. They reported that whenever hazardous waste is incinerated, a strong and unpleasant odour emanates from the plant, making it difficult to eat or even breathe properly.
“We are living in constant fear,” said Luter Singh Pawar. “The air quality deteriorates significantly whenever they burn this waste. We are worried about the long-term health impacts on our families and the environment.”
Environmental activists have also joined the protests, raising concerns about the potential for air and water pollution, and the long-term ecological damage that could result from the incineration process. They argue that alternative, safer methods of waste disposal should be explored.
The government has defended its decision, stating that the Ramky plant is equipped with state- of-the-art technology to safely incinerate hazardous waste. They have also assured the public that all necessary environmental safeguards are in place.
