Budapest is poised to enter a legal battle against the Hungarian state regarding the clean-up of the Óbuda Gas Works, a site believed to contain approximately 200,000 tons of hazardous and carcinogenic waste.

This announcement was made by Mayor Gergely Karácsony on social media, underscoring a long-standing issue that has persisted for nearly a decade.

Karácsony stated that it is imperative for the state-owned company MVM to undertake the remediation of the site.

He pointed out that environmental groups have been advocating for the clean-up for years, leading to various investigations and proposed budget amendments.

However, he accused the government of inaction, stating that previous commitments have not been fulfilled, with deadlines consistently pushed back without adequate progress.

The mayor emphasized that remediating one of the most contaminated areas in Budapest is necessary, despite the cost implications, and he claimed that the pollution levels at the gas works site are significantly worse than those at Rákosrendező, another contaminated area in the city.

He noted that effective clean-up could facilitate important developments beneficial to Budapest.

Karácsony recounted remarks made by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who previously suggested concerns about the site were merely rumors.

However, the mayor refuted this, labeling the lack of action as a significant public hazard and claiming it is the responsibility of the state.

In a related post, Deputy Mayor Dávid Vitézy echoed Karácsony’s sentiments, highlighting that the Hungarian state assumed responsibility for the clean-up of the Óbuda Gas Works when it acquired the company Főgáz from the city eleven years ago.

He reiterated that no action has been taken since then, with the original deadline for remediation set in 2017, now extended to December 2024. Vitézy criticized the government's repeated deferral of remediation deadlines, asserting that substantial environmental risks remain unaddressed.

Vitézy urged the City Assembly to formally call on the government to fulfill its remediation obligations, suggesting that legal action may be necessary to protect the interests of Budapest's residents.

He pointed out that while discussions on clean-up responsibilities abound concerning Rákosrendező, the severity of contamination at the Óbuda site deserves greater attention and urgency.

Officials have expressed concern that the contaminated soil poses a significant danger to both Budapest's drinking water and the Danube River, emphasizing the need for prompt action rather than further delays characterized by bureaucratic excuses.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the state will respond to the city's legal initiatives and ongoing environmental challenges.