The on Tuesday permitted the state government to conduct a trial run for the disposal of 40-year-old chemical waste from Bhopal’s defunct Union Carbide factory in Pithampur, reported PTI.

The incineration trials are set to take place in three phases from February 27, the news agency quoted Advocate General Prashant Singh as saying.

The state government also submitted a compliance report to the court on steps it has taken to increase public awareness about the waste disposal process, Singh said. The court had sought the report in January.

In December 1984, methyl isocyanate and other toxic gases leaked from the pesticide plant of in Bhopal.

Over five lakh persons were exposed to the toxic gases and at least 4,000 were killed as a result in the ensuing days.

Government data suggests that there have been 15,000 deaths as a result of the disaster over the years.

On January 2, about 337 tons of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide factory were delivered to the Pithampur industrial area in Dhar district, where it is awaiting disposal. The waste was in 12 leak-proof and fire-resistant containers.

The arrival of the waste in Pithampur was with met with outrage by residents and activists. On January 3, two men after they immolated themselves in protest.

On January...