The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Kerala government for failing to take action against hospitals responsible for dumping medical waste in Tamil Nadu.Medical waste being transported from Kerala to Tamil Nadu for dumping has reportedly become a routine practice. The NGT initiated a suo motu investigation into the matter, criticizing both the Kerala government and the Kerala Pollution Control Board. Following this, Kerala officials collected the dumped medical waste from Tamil Nadu in lorries and transported it back.
During a hearing, the Green Tribunal questioned the Kerala government, asking, “Why has no action been taken against the hospital responsible for bringing medical waste from Kerala and dumping it in Tamil Nadu?”
In response, representatives of the Kerala government stated, “Officials inspected the sites where waste was dumped. Notices have been issued to the hospital and resort involved in the dumping.”
The tribunal then issued further directives, asking, “What action has been taken against the resort involved in dumping medical waste near the Tamil Nadu border? Kerala must stop transporting its waste across state lines. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government must strengthen security along the border to prevent such incidents.”
The NGT has ordered the Kerala government to submit a detailed report on the matter by January 20, 2025.