The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to file a report on a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to authorities to strictly implement the Biomedical Waste Management Rules – 2016 to ensure proper segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, and scientific disposal of biomedical waste.
A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel was hearing the petition filed by B. Sharmesh Khan and R. Karthick Kannan of Madurai, who sought a direction to the authorities to conduct regular inspections and monitor all healthcare establishments and common biomedical waste treatment facilities, and take appropriate action against those violating the statutory provisions.
In the past several years, the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, particularly Madurai, witnessed substantial growth in medical infrastructure. Several government hospitals, medical colleges, super speciality hospitals, private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, and other healthcare establishments had been established and expanded. Consequently, the quantity of biomedical waste generated every day had increased manifold, thereby requiring an efficient, transparent, and scientifically managed system for its collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal, they said.
Improper handling of biomedical waste created a serious risk of spreading infectious diseases among patients, healthcare workers, sanitation workers, waste handlers, ragpickers, and the public. Illegal dumping or improper disposal of such waste contaminated soil, groundwater and waterbodies, they said.
Despite the statutory framework governing biomedical waste management, serious concerns had arisen regarding the actual collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste generated in Madurai district and the southern districts. Information obtained from various authorities and available records indicated discrepancies regarding the movement and the processing of biomedical waste, they said.
These inconsistencies had given rise to genuine apprehensions as to whether the statutory provisions were being implemented in their true letter and spirit. It had been reported that biomedical waste had been found abandoned in open lands, vacant sites, and even along the banks of River Vaigai, including areas near Vandiyur.
They said if such allegations were found to be true, they would disclose serious violations of the Biomedical Waste Management Rules – 2016, and the Environment (Protection) Act – 1986. Such illegal disposal of hazardous waste not only endangered public health but also caused irreversible damage to the environment, they said. The court posted the matter for hearing to October 5.
Published – August 19, 2026 08:56 pm IST
