Chandigarh: 39,000kg Covid waste generated in May

CHANDIGARH: The city has generated 39,837.1kg of biomedical waste related to Covid-19 in May, according to a report the UT administration has submitted to the central government following the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Central Pollution Control Board.
The waste came from top three medical institutes like PGI, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Government Multi-specialty Hospital, Sector 16, and other civil hospitals, quarantine centres and municipal corporation. PGI topped the list, with 2,7280kg waste followed by GMH (5,475kg) and GMSH (2,511)
It was a first of its kind exercise the UT administration carried. Recently, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee had written to different bodies, including municipal corporation, to submit a weekly report on how they are managing Covid-19 biomedical waste such as used gloves, masks, and protective suits.
Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee had written to the civic body, PGI, GMSH, and GMCH for these procedural details. The committee’s queries were based on guidelines from Central Pollution Control Board and orders from National Green Tribunal. In a recent order, the NGT had observed that dumping Covid-19 waste in general bins or sewage without safeguards is hazardous.
It recommended using best practices and new ideas under supervision, besides compiling data from the tracking of Covid-19 waste from all sources, to prevent accidental spill, aid strategic planning, and improve software.
The order said to educate waste handlers, staff, and citizens about the precautions they must take, and demanded a local model plan. The green court told Central Pollution Control Board to coordinate with the media and central/state departments for the purpose.