Trucks spill bio-med waste in Perungudi

The trucks collect biomedical waste from hospitals in Pallikaranai and take them to incineration plants in the outskirts. Locals claim that the Radial Road in Perungudi is among the worst affected.

Locals complain that this is a regular issue as the entire stretch is littered with bio-medical waste. There are a lot of gloves and syringes found on the road. “Just like other garbage, biomedical waste is also taken in trucks, and due to the high speed in which these vehicles travel, the waste falls on the road. I have noticed syringes, gloves and other medical waste on the road. Usually, sanitary workers sweep and keep them in a corner, but, recently, it was dropped on Friday and they were not cleaned over the weekend. Bio-medical waste can be found on the road every day,” said Pughalvendhan, a resident of Perungudi.

“We have made complaints to TNPCB officials. But there has been no response from them. During the rainy season, gloves and syringes float in the water. It is scary for us to walk on the road during that time,” said Vikraman, another resident.

Speaking to DT Next, K Gokuladas, joint chief environment engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board said, “If anything is being done illegally, we will take steps immediately. In such cases, the public can take pictures and them send to us and actions will be taken.”