AMC, GPCB initiate reopening of biomedical waste godowns

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) have initiated the process of disposing biomedical waste seized from around 10 godowns in the city.  The health department of AMC had earlier removed the seals on the godowns that had been dealing in biomedical waste such as needles, syringes catheters among others.

The regional officer of GPCB KC Mistry said that the health department would first segregate the waste. “Once the biomedical waste is segregated, we will weigh it and then dispose it as the per GPCB’s norms,” said Mistry.

He said that apart from segregation, GPCB will also carry out verification of the biomedical waste.  “We have already recorded the approximate weight of the biomedical waste seized from the godowns. The variation in the approximate weight and actual weight is around 10%,” he said.

Deputy health officer of north zone Manish Fency said that the civic body had sealed the godowns taking into considerations public health concerns.

“We have already informed GPCB about the reopening of the godowns as it does not come under our purview. Now they will take the process further.”

Earlier GPCB had cut the electricity supply, water and drainage connection of the godowns involved in trading of the biomedical waste.