Heap of medical waste dumped near Kolarampathi tank in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: A heap of expired tablets and syrup bottles were found dumped near the Kolarampathi tank in the city on Tuesday. Similarly, a dump of medical waste was found near the Perur Periyakulam tank, a stone’s throw away from Kolarampathi, on Monday.
The issue was brought to the notice of the Perur town panchayat officials, who slapped a fine of 5,000 against a driver for dumping the waste.
Dumping expired medicines on the banks of waterbodies across the city has raised concerns among residents. Both locals and environmental activists alike have sought strict action against the perpetrators, to send out a stern message against such hazardous dumping and prevent such violations in the future.
K Vishnu, a resident, said besides medical waste, scrap is also commonly dumped into the waterbodies. Scrap dealers dump waste which cannot be monetized. Some scarp items are even burnt on the banks causing pollution.
Kovai Kulangal Padhukaappu Amaippu, which has planted tree saplings at Perur Periyakulam, has written to the district collector, Kranti Kumar Pati, and district superintendent of police, V Badrinarayanan, seeking criminal action against violators. It has also asked the district administration to levy fines as it could act as a deterrent.
R Manikandan, coordinator of the outfit, said that bills found dumped along with the medicines at the Perur Periyakulam tank indicated that it belonged to a private company.
He said officials should have initiated action against the pharma company instead of making the driver a scapegoat. He added that finding the culprits behind the dumping at Kolarampathi would be tricky as no bills were found.