The discarded materials, including used syringes, PPE kits, and sensitive medical records, were found scattered across Tamil Nadu, allegedly originating from hospitals in Kerala
Published Dec 23, 2024 | 3:13 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 23, 2024 | 3:13 PM
Kerala High Court. (iStock)
The Kerala High Court has strongly criticised the state government over its failure to manage waste properly, following the discovery of illegally dumped medical waste in Tamil Nadu.
The bench, led by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, has taken a firm stance on the issue, directing the Kerala government to submit a detailed report on its waste management practices.
The Court’s remarks came after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) intervened, initially issuing an order for Kerala to retrieve the hazardous waste by 23 December, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Originally scheduled for hearing on 23 December, the matter has now been rescheduled to 10 January, 2025. Officials confirmed that the hearing was delayed due to the absence of the judicial member, Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, who is currently on leave.
The dumped materials, which included used syringes, personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, and sensitive medical records, were found discarded across Tamil Nadu, originating from hospitals in Kerala.
The illegal dumping of such hazardous materials not only poses serious environmental risks but also points to significant lapses in the enforcement of waste management regulations.
The High Court has called for a comprehensive investigation into how the waste was transported across state borders and who is responsible for these violations.
In its directive, the Court emphasised the immediate need for action, including a thorough probe and the identification of those accountable for the mishandling of medical waste.
A special division bench meeting is scheduled to address systemic flaws in Kerala’s waste management system, with the aim of ensuring stricter enforcement of regulations and preventing similar incidents in the future.
The Kerala government now faces increasing pressure to comply with the orders for waste retrieval and to implement more sustainable and effective waste disposal practices. Failure to do so could result in further legal and environmental consequences.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
