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This legislation was a response to the world’s worst industrial disaster, a 1984 crisis in which over 500,000 people in Bhopal, India were exposed to highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant, killing at least 2,000 people directly and injuring thousands more.

The waste, transported from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in the city of Bhopal - site of the 1984 gas tragedy that killed thousands - has sparked fears among locals.

The toxic waste cleared from the Bhopal factory included five types of hazardous materials - including pesticide residue and "forever chemicals" left from its manufacturing process.

"The government is making a show of disposing of 337 metric tonnes while ignoring the much bigger problem in Bhopal," said Nityanand Jayaraman, a leading environmentalist.

But the reality of Bhopal has deepened the mistrust among the people of Pithampur, who are now prepared to take to the streets again to oppose the waste disposal.