Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has imposed Rs 25,000 fine on Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) for dumping and burning large quantities of mixed solid waste including biomedical in open area within its premise.
The Board has also decided to write to Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) to expedite commissioning of Common Biomedical waste Treatment and Disposal facility coming up at Kundaim Industrial Estate.
During a site inspection undertaken following media reports, the GSPCB noted that large
quantities of mixed solid waste along with infectious biomedical waste was dumped and burnt in an open area within the premises of GMC.
The Board also noted that the mixed solid waste generated from canteen along with recyclable disposable plates. cups, etc was seen dumped within the GMC premises while a large quantity of biomedical waste was seen stacked near incinerator building in open premises for disposal in incinerator.
“The biomedical waste incinerator plant was in operation at the time of inspection. However it appears that total waste generated within the GMC premises as well as the waste brought from other health care facilities is in excess than the waste handled and disposed in the incinerator. Hence large quantities of biomedical waste were seen stored in the open adjoining the incinerator and hydroclave sheds,” the site inspection, concluded.
Accordingly, the Board imposed Rs 25,000 fine for burning and unscientific management of solid waste leading to air and water pollution.
It has also proposed to direct GMC to adequately segregate the canteen waste into wet waste and dry waste.