Sambalpur: Medical and Nursing Homes Dumping Waste on Mahanadi Banks; What’s Going On with the BMW Plant?
Sambalpur: Health centers and nursing homes in Burla are allegedly dumping biomedical waste on the banks of the Mahanadi River rather than sending it to the BMW (Bio-Medical Waste) Plant for proper disposal. The improper disposal of waste, which includes various medicines, chemicals, and other hazardous materials, is allegedly polluting both the environment and the Mahanadi River.
Centralized Waste Management in Burla
Aside from the prominent Vimsar Medical College, Burla has seen a significant increase in private nursing homes. These facilities must dispose of their waste at the BMW Plant, which is made possible by a dedicated van that collects and transports the waste for incineration. However, some nursing home owners have used tractors to dump waste behind the Central School, near the Mahanadi River.
Online Sambalpur Is Now On WhatsApp!
Join us for the latest news updates delivered directly to your WhatsApp.
Subscribe Us On YouTube!
Join us for the latest news updates and video content delivered directly to you.
Dumping Waste in the Open
Observers have noted that tractor operators transport and dump waste not only from nursing homes but also from Burla Medical into the river. Medical waste includes injection needles, saline bottles, pipes, and syringes. The open dumping area along the riverbank, which resembles a sprawling dump yard, contributes significantly to river pollution when water levels rise and wash away the waste.
Community Outrage and Demands for Action
Recently, residents witnessed a tractor dumping large polythene bags filled with waste in the area. Despite public protests, the tractor driver ignored the complaints and continued dumping. This blatant disregard for environmental safety has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the locals.
Need for Immediate Administrative Intervention
Community members are urging the administration to identify and punish those responsible for this dangerous dumping. They are pressing municipal officials to address this issue as soon as possible and put measures in place to prevent further environmental degradation along the Mahanadi River. The community demands that authorities take strict measures to ensure that all medical and nursing home waste is properly managed and disposed of at the BMW plant, thereby protecting public health and the environment.
