Biomed waste removed, but dumped at another location within Porur Lake

Biomed waste removed, but dumped at another location within Porur Lake

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.05.2021 

Four days after TOI highlighted how private hospitals and Iyyappanthangal panchayat were illegally dumping biomedical waste in Porur Lake, instead of removing it completely, local authorities have moved it to a different area within the lake area in the name of follow-up action.

Earlier, used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of healthcare workers, bed covers and biomed waste were found dumped on government poramboke land (survey number 165 as per state revenue records). On the day when the news report was published, Iyyappanthangal panchayat deployed JCBs and garbage trucks to remove the waste from the location.

"Initially we were all happy that some action has been taken after repeated complaints for over a period of almost 10 years. But the joy was short-lived when we found out the waste was dumped in a different spot (survey number 138), which is closer to the core lake area and even more dangerous. From Kolathuvancheri, the entire waste has now been shifted to Thelliar Agaram side," said V Pattabiraman, vice president of Maduram Nagar House Owners' Welfare Association.

A board has been installed at the old dumping site warning private hospitals and others that legal proceedings will be initiated against those disposing of biomed and other waste in the area. At least 70,000 tons of waste have accumulated in the waterbody over the years, Pattabiraman said, adding that it was not a difficult task to remove all the waste and desilt the lake, so that sidewalks can be constructed.

Though National Green Tribunal Southern Zone (NGT SZ) had taken suo motu cognizance of this issue and is monitoring the waste removal progress, local body and revenue authorities seems to be not bothered about finding a permanent solution and are finding adhoc arrangements to avoid legal action, say Iyyappanthangal residents.

The Kundrathur Block Development Office (BDO) said that they were unable to find an alternate dumping site. Though the authorities have been directed to pay ₹12 lakh, the same was yet to be remitted, according to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) officials.

AS IT STANDS: (Left) JCBs deployed to shift waste accumulated in Porur Lake; A board erected at the previous dumping site warning private hospitals and others that legal proceedings will be initiated against those disposing of biomed and other waste in the area; (Below) Report published in TOI on April 26