On 19 December 2024, the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) instructed the Kerala government and its Pollution Control Board to clear the illegally dumped biomedical and mixed solid waste found at several locations along the border of Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district within three days. The tribunal also demanded a compliance report to be submitted by 23 December 2024.

Reports indicated that hazardous biomedical waste from Kerala is being clandestinely dumped in Tamil Nadu, often during the night, in pristine forests, water bodies, and farmlands. Previously, such incidents were reported in areas like Anamalai, Theni, and Nanguneri. Currently, waste is found in four locations: Kodaganallur, Palavoor, Kondanagaram, and Sivalarkulam, all within the Tirunelveli district.

It was revealed that the biomedical waste originated from institutions such as the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram and Credence Private Hospital, while municipal waste came from Leela Kovalam. The NGT initiated the case suo moto and notices have been issued to these entities and to the environmental and health departments of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu for their failure to prevent this illegal activity.

A bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member K. Satyagopal directed Kerala to either retrieve the waste or establish a formal agreement with Tamil Nadu’s Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility for proper disposal. “The waste must be removed without delay,” the bench ordered, providing a three-day deadline.

Tamil Nadu government pleader D. Shanmuganathan stated that the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) failed to comply with an earlier tribunal order from June, which required it to pay ₹69,000 to cover the cost incurred by the local body for removing waste dumped along Nanguneri’s roadsides.

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to assess the volume of biomedical waste dumped. Counsel Sai Sathya Jith highlighted that TNPCB’s chairperson has written to KSPCB’s chairperson demanding legal action against RCC and other offenders, along with stricter border monitoring. Two FIRs have been filed by the Suthamalli police under various sections, including Sections 271 and 272 of the IPC, Section 15 (1) of the Environment Protection Act, and Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act.

KSPCB counsel V.K. Rema Smrithi acknowledged the waste originated in Kerala and assured that criminal proceedings would be initiated against the culprits. She noted that unauthorized waste collectors, operating without government recognition, were responsible for this illegal activity.

Local activists pointed out that both the police and transport departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu bear responsibility for these incidents. They emphasized that stricter monitoring of the narrow Sengottai road, the primary interstate route in the area, and enhanced vigilance at the border check-posts could mitigate the problem.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste poses significant risks to human health and the environment, as it is highly infectious and requires strict management under Biomedical Waste Management Rules.

(With inputs from TNIE)

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The post NGT Orders Kerala To Clear Illegally Dumped Biomedical Waste In Tamil Nadu Within 3 Days appeared first on The Commune.

In light of Kerala dumping illegal medical waste in border villages of Tamil Nadu, Bharatiya Janata Party state President K Annamalai slammed the ruling DMK government for its inefficiency.

Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, “Chief Minister @mkstalin, who is ceding Tamil Nadu’s rights, including Cauvery water, to states ruled by his coalition parties, has allowed the border districts of Kerala, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli, to be turned into a garbage dump for the Communist government of Kerala. While the DMK government is in league with the Communist government of Kerala, our southern districts have been turned into a dumping ground for the state’s biomedical, plastic, and meat waste. The check posts that were supposed to stop this waste, which is brought in by trucks every day, have become mere collection centers. On the one hand, the DMK government seems to be turning a blind eye to the illegal smuggling of minerals from Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts to Kerala, and on the other hand, it has given free rein to use Tamil Nadu as a garbage dump. Despite repeated complaints to the authorities and the Chief Minister’s Special Cell, no action has been taken to stop this. This is happening with the full knowledge of the DMK government. The DMK government should immediately stop the conversion of Tamil Nadu border districts into a garbage dump for the state of Kerala. If similar incidents continue, in the first week of January 2025, we will mobilize the public, load this biomedical waste and garbage into trucks and dump it in Kerala. I inform the DMK government that I will also go in the first truck.”

காவிரி நீர் உள்ளிட்ட தமிழகத்தின் உரிமைகளை தனது கூட்டணிக் கட்சிகள் ஆளும் மாநிலங்களுக்கு விட்டுக் கொடுத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் முதலமைச்சர் திரு @mkstalin அவர்கள், கேரள மாநிலத்தின் எல்லையோர மாவட்டங்களான கன்னியாகுமரி, தென்காசி மற்றும் திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டங்களை, கேரள கம்யூனிஸ்ட் அரசின்… pic.twitter.com/egdyR3x3ue

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 17, 2024

Large volumes of biomedical, food, and plastic waste, reportedly from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and Credence Private Hospital, were found dumped across multiple Kodaganallur and Palavoor villages. The waste included hazardous biomedical materials, such as used syringes and PPE kits, discarded on patta lands and waterbodies, causing significant health and environmental concerns.

As reported by TNIE, the dumping, which has been ongoing for several months, allegedly occurs during the night, making it difficult to apprehend those responsible. Trucks believed to be transporting loads for a nearby paper mill are suspected of bringing in the waste. Despite complaints by affected landowners, authorities have taken little action, and the issue remains unresolved.

Medical records containing sensitive personal information of cancer patients treated at the RCC were also found among the waste. Documents included patient names, addresses, treatment details, diagnoses, and dietary plans. Several of these records appeared to be recent, with dates from November 2024. The discovery of such documents not only highlights improper waste disposal practices but also raises concerns about a serious data breach.

The illegal dumping has had a direct impact on the local environment and livelihoods. Contaminated water sources near the dumping sites have led to health issues among livestock, including cattle and goats. Local farmers and residents are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects of biomedical waste exposure on their health and the surrounding ecosystem.

The issue has been brought to the attention of various authorities, including the Suthamalli police and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Special Cell. Complaints were filed over a month ago, but no case has been registered to date. Residents have alleged negligence on the part of both the police and revenue officials, as neither group has visited the affected sites despite repeated requests.

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The post “Will Mobilize People, Load Biomedical Waste And Dump It Back In Kerala”: BJP TN Head Annamalai Warns Pinarayi And Stalin Govt appeared first on The Commune.

Large volumes of biomedical, food, and plastic waste, reportedly from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and Credence Private Hospital, have been found dumped across multiple Kodaganallur and Palavoor villages. The waste includes hazardous biomedical materials, such as used syringes and PPE kits, discarded on patta lands and waterbodies, causing significant health and environmental concerns.

As reported by TNIE, the dumping, which has been ongoing for several months, allegedly occurs during the night, making it difficult to apprehend those responsible. Trucks believed to be transporting loads for a nearby paper mill are suspected of bringing in the waste. Despite complaints by affected landowners, authorities have taken little action, and the issue remains unresolved.

Once again, a huge volume of Kerala’s biomedical, food, and plastic waste, mainly from Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre and Credence Private Hospital, has been dumped in water body and patta lands in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli villages. A land supervisor said his… pic.twitter.com/NsINZyBUhD

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) December 16, 2024

Medical records containing sensitive personal information of cancer patients treated at the RCC were also found among the waste. Documents included patient names, addresses, treatment details, diagnoses, and dietary plans. Several of these records appeared to be recent, with dates from November 2024. The discovery of such documents not only highlights improper waste disposal practices but also raises concerns about a serious data breach.

Major healthcare data breach: Sensitive personal and treatment information of cancer patients admitted to Kerala government-run Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre was leaked. Hundreds of cancer patients' records, including their names, addresses, signatures, diseases, diet… https://t.co/themozeA21 pic.twitter.com/BEa5hYBruC

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) December 17, 2024

The illegal dumping has had a direct impact on the local environment and livelihoods. Contaminated water sources near the dumping sites have led to health issues among livestock, including cattle and goats. Local farmers and residents are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects of biomedical waste exposure on their health and the surrounding ecosystem.

The issue has been brought to the attention of various authorities, including the Suthamalli police and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Special Cell. Complaints were filed over a month ago, but no case has been registered to date. Residents have alleged negligence on the part of both the police and revenue officials, as neither group has visited the affected sites despite repeated requests.

CCTV cameras near strategic locations, such as a Tasmac outlet, a paper mill, and a quarry, could potentially identify the trucks involved, but no effort has been made to trace the vehicles. Waste has reportedly been dumped across five locations spanning 40 acres of land.

The District Collector has directed local officials and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to investigate the matter and take legal action. The Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police has stated that an FIR is expected to be registered soon to address the complaints.

The incident has raised several pressing questions about waste management practices and accountability. Concerns include the effectiveness of border check posts, the role of authorities in preventing such illegal activities, and the absence of coordination between Tamil Nadu and Kerala to address the issue. The lack of response from opposition parties has also drawn criticism.

Local residents and activists are demanding that the illegally dumped waste be sent back to Kerala and that stringent measures be implemented to prevent further transportation of hazardous materials into Tamil Nadu. The discovery of both hazardous waste and confidential medical records has highlighted severe lapses in governance, data security, and public health safeguards.

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As the number of cases of coronavirus continues to increase day by day, there is a risk of further spread due to the prevalence of unsanitary conditions. This has become a major hazard, especially in Tenkasi, where medical waste was found to have been dumped on the sides of the road.

In the Tenkasi district, biomedical waste has been dumped in several places along the road leading to Tenkasi-Ayakkudi. Of these, some bundles are burnt and some bundles are not burnt, leading to concerns that they may cause health problems. Used syringes, needles, IV sets, expired and used medical waste are dumped on the side of the road frequented by pedestrians on the way to Ayakkudi.

As such medical waste continues to be dumped in the area, it has now increased the number of cases of corona positive results being reported. Social activists have demanded that the district administration take stern action against those who dump health waste in such places without proper disposal during this time of such a worldwide pandemic.

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The Kerala government has come under scrutiny for dumping tons of poultry/meat wastes, especially the remains of slaughtered cows in TN villages near Radhapuram, Tirunelveli. This has become a looming menace for the residents of the Radhapuram region, where the dumping of waste is being done with scant regard by Kerala government.

Residents have come forward to complain that the waste that is being dumped has been emitting an extremely foul odour, leaving the citizens to gasp for air. In addition to this, this has become a breeding ground for pathogens and mosquitoes, acting as the hub for disease spread.

As recent as the 28th of February, a lorry bearing the Kerala registration plate dumped about 3 tonnes of poultry waste on the Radhapuram border. Despite the local police having been brought to notice about the issue, they did little to combat the problem, and instead fined them ₹5000 and let them go without filing an FIR. The Health Department also did nothing to take stock of the situation. Last year, lorries that had attempted to dump poultry waste near Kudankulam was caught red-handed and a fine of ₹1 lakh was imposed by the local police. When they took this to the court, the justice let them go for a fine of ₹10,000 instead.

Notably, Tamil Nadu isn’t the only neighbour being exploited by Kerala government as Karnataka faced a similar plight recently. It has been illegally dumping hazardous biomedical waste and animal waste in Karnataka, jeopardising the lives of locals and polluting the environment in Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts.

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