Puthur villagers choke as biomedical firm incinerates waste

The biomedical waste collecting firm has been operating out of KK Puthur village for the past eight years. Sources said the firm used to collect medical waste from the multi-speciality hospitals in Chennai, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and incinerate them.

Locals claimed that the smoke coming out of the incinerators of the firm are toxic as a result they could not breathe in the fresh air. They claimed that nearly eight villages including KK Puthur, AA Vakkam, Kinaru Erivakkam are being affected.

“Most of the locals suffering from breathing problems are children and it is very upsetting for parents,” said Jacqueline, a resident of KK Puthur. She said that 8-years ago the village was very clean and the atmosphere was healthy. “Now, after the medical waste collecting firm opened everything changed, “ she said.

The residents gave a petition to State officials many times but no action has been taken yet. They even protested in front of the Maduranthagam RDO office a few days back.

Kishore, a resident of Kinaru Erivakkam, said “Before the firm opened in the village, many people from other areas shifted to KK Puthur because of its clean environment but now many are vacating from the village.”

When contacted, Maduranthagam RDO P Malathi said, “We have forwarded the information to the Pollution Control Board. Soon, they will test the air and if they find it harmful, we will take action.”