Now Reading: CPCB flags deep burial medical waste violations by 17 states
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CPCB flags deep burial medical waste violations by 17 states
The Central Pollution Control Board has told the National Green Tribunal that it will act against 17 states and Union territories violating rules on deep burial of biomedical waste. Out of 9,178…
The Story in Brief
The Central Pollution Control Board has told the National Green Tribunal that it will act against 17 states and Union territories violating rules on deep burial of biomedical waste. Out of 9,178 healthcare facilities using deep burial, only 5,715 comply with standards. In Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, all 111 and 33 such facilities respectively were found non-compliant. Common violations include failure to maintain a minimum six-metre groundwater table below burial pits and operating without proper authorisation.
The NGT has given the violating states and UTs eight weeks to comply, failing which the Centre may issue binding directions under Section 5 of the Environment Act, 1986. CPCB must file a progress report before the next hearing on October 28, 2026.
The Indian Opinion
The scale of non-compliance is alarming, but the rules themselves deserve scrutiny. Deep burial is permitted only in rural or remote areas lacking common treatment facilities, yet 17 states and UTs are using it widely. The narrative that state pollution boards are solely to blame misses the bigger issue: many healthcare facilities may have no viable alternative. The real test is whether the eight-week ultimatum leads to enforceable action or yet another round of paperwork before the next hearing.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
