MPCB spares 3 pvt hosps, one govt-run let off by NMC

Nagpur: In the case pertaining to garbage mixed with biomedical waste (BMW) collected and dumped at the Bhandewadi garbage dumping yard by operator AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Ltd, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has proposed no action against three private hospitals. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has left out one state government-run hospital.
Two days down the line, no police complaint has been lodged for violations and loss of public money.

After violations were detected by Shiv Sena (UBT) city president Nitin Tiwari at the spot, a joint panchnama was conducted by sub regional officer of MPCB Pramod Lone along with NMC incharge of the dumping yard Rohidas Rathod. The panchnama noted various types of BMW mixed with garbage and lack of transportation and storage of wet and dry waste at the dumping yard.
“Action has been proposed against four hospitals — Government Medical College and Hospital, Seven Star Hospital, RST Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Hospital. Regional manager AM Kare will take call on Tuesday,” said Lone.
In the NMC’s panchnama conducted at the site on the same day, names of seven hospitals were mentioned. MPCH has left out three — Getwell Hospital, Neuron Brain, Spine and Critical Care Centre and Ortho Relief Hospital.
“Names of four hospitals were recorded as per the preliminary findings of the joint inspection and the statement of driver Kala Banjare who brought the garbage mixed with BMW,” added Lone.
Despite seven hospitals mentioned in the panchnama, the civic body did not issue a notice to Super Speciality Hospital. NMC deputy commissioner (solid waste management) Dr Gajendra Mahalle said he will look into the matter.
The driver had on camera admitted to having mixed BMW with garbage transported by AG Enviro from these hospitals and dumped at the dumping yard daily. He had also admitted that all the officials at the dumping yard were aware about the violations and also that nobody checks vehicles when they enter the yard.
Tiwari had taken videos and pictures of BMW spread in the dumping yard.
After similar violations, irregularities and breach of contract, the NMC general body had passed a resolution to terminate the contract of AG Enviro as well as another operator, BVG India, on January 29, 2022. The administration has not complied with the resolution passed 16 months ago.