The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has started inspection of hospitals in the state to check whether these hospitals are complying with the pollution control standards or infectious waste treatment norms in the state.   For this purpose, the PCB had recently formed special task force teams to inspect the defaulting hospitals in the state.

It is learnt that PCB had set a target of inspecting about 96 hospitals with 100 beds capacity in a span of one week in the state. So far, they have inspected 23 hospitals and found that none of the hospitals inspected had valid authorization from the pollution control board.

Most of the hospitals do not have an effluent treatment plant for the infectious waste nor did they have a sewerage treatment plant. It is found that the hospitals are using the usual common drainage systems to release the wastes emanating from them.  

In another development, the PCB has also found fault with 115 electroplating units in Hyderabad. Electroplating Industries are mainly in tiny and small scale sector with a manufacturing capacity of 300 to 500 kgs per shift. Around 200 such units are located in and around Hyderabad. Waste water produced in electroplating industries includes spent acids, alkalis and may contain cyanide and variety of heavy metals which are hazardous in nature. Most of these units do not have proper infrastructure facilities for treatment and disposal of wastes leading to serious health and environmental problems.

The Pollution control board has given 6 months time to all these units to shift from the middle of the city to a new place which they will have to identify in consultation with Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority and APIIC (Andhra Pradesh Industrial infrastructure Corporation).

“We will ask, the HMDA and APIIC to help these tiny electroplating units to find suitable place. A search committee of executive members of electroplating industry association will have to be formed to identify eight acres of land in Jeedimetla and Pashamylamra industrial estates. Each one will need 250 yards. They need to get registered with the Jeedimetla Effluent Treatment Limited for treating their effluents. Forty-two industries have already registered with JETL. Only those electroplating units located in industrial areas will be allowed to function,” said Dana Kishore, Member secretary APPCB.