PCB clears bio-med waste dumped near Adyar river

“The hospitals which fail to adhere will be sealed by the Health department,” a TNPCB official said.

Bio-medical waste was being dumped in the bund of Adyar river between Anakaputhur and Tiruneermalai for more than a month. On Tuesday, the spot was inspected by a TNPCB official, along with Tiruneermalai town panchayat officials. After the inspection, immediate action was taken to clear the medical waste.

“We got information that medical waste is being dumped. We have warned Pallavaram municipal to engage contractors to handle bio-medical waste. It should be dumped at a unit in Padapai,” said Udhyakumar, Assistant Engineer, TNPCB.

Residents said that unknown persons started the dumping more than a month ago. “They come in the night, dump the waste and they burn it here. There are children and senior citizens who have respiratory problems. If TNPCB did not take action now, the situation would have worsened. Though we filed complaints with TNPCB and Corporation a few weeks ago, the action was taken only now,” said Vinoth Kumar R, a resident.

“I noticed this issue while passing through. We spoke to the residents here and they said it has been in this state for more than a month. We gave written complaint to TNPCB, Chief Minister and State Health Minister,” said V Pugalventhan, an environment activist.