Union Carbide: Ghosting Accountability Since 1984

On December 3, 1984, a devastating chemical accident occurred in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, which shook the entire nation. Approximately 45 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC), a highly toxic chemical that causes severe health damage upon exposure, leaked from an insecticide plant owned by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC)’s Indian subsidiary. The lethal gas caused the deaths of an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people, while about 500,000 survivors suffered from respiratory problems, blindness, and other severe health issues.  

Investigations later revealed that the disaster resulted from substandard safety procedures at the plant. In the aftermath, Union Carbide Corporation attempted to dissociate itself from responsibility, shifting the blame to its Indian subsidiary, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), claiming the plant was built and operated locally.  

Years later, the Dow Chemical Company acquired Union Carbide Corporation but maintained that it bore no responsibility for the tragedy, arguing that UCC was legally a different entity under new ownership. Despite numerous protests and legal battles, neither Dow nor the Indian government took substantial steps to clear the 400 tons of industrial waste left behind at the site.  

After 40 years, the cleanup of the contaminated site has finally begun. Around 337 tons of toxic waste were transported from the Union Carbide plant to an incineration facility located 230 kilometers away, following a court-mandated deadline for disposal. Authorities estimate the disposal process will take approximately 3–9 months. However, this development has sparked controversy, with locals at the disposal site raising concerns about the potential health and environmental risks posed by the incineration process. Environmental activists have also expressed skepticism about the safety of these measures.  

In January 2024, the Madhya Pradesh government submitted a new compensation plea to the Supreme Court, seeking an additional ₹7,844 crore from Dow Chemical for the victims, stating that earlier settlements were grossly inadequate. The court dismissed this plea in March 2024, stating the government failed to provide legal grounds for reopening the 1989 settlement. This ruling reignited anger among survivors and advocacy groups, who called it a continued miscarriage of justice.

The timing and adequacy of the cleanup have raised critical questions. Activists argue that it is long overdue process and a politically motivated gesture. They also highlight the systemic failure to enforce corporate accountability, which allowed both Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals to evade responsibility for decades. These failures, combined with government inaction, have left local communities to bear the brunt of the disaster.  

The delay in initiating the cleanup—40 years after the tragedy—further underscores the negligence and lack of urgency shown by authorities. The government’s inability to enforce corporate accountability, ensure timely reparations, and address the disaster’s aftermath has perpetuated suffering among the affected communities.  

Respiratory issues, skin diseases, birth defects, and extreme land and water pollution continue to plague the area. Groundwater near the plant remains contaminated with hazardous chemicals, and preliminary research suggests an increase in cancer, paralysis, and tuberculosis cases among those exposed to toxic water resources.  

As of early 2025, several local organizations, including the Bhopal Group for Information and Action and the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, have intensified their efforts to bring global attention back to the disaster. They are demanding not only cleanup and compensation but also the extradition of former UCC officials still considered absconders by Indian courts. Recent studies have also urged the government to declare the region an “ecological disaster zone” to enable faster health interventions and long-term rehabilitation efforts.

The Bhopal gas tragedy’s toxic legacy endures, with activists and locals demanding accountability from Union Carbide, Dow Chemicals, and the government. The tragedy highlights the critical importance of enforcing safety standards, holding corporations accountable, and addressing the long-term impact of industrial disasters, particularly for vulnerable local communities.

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