{
  "id": 10657368,
  "title": "Cross-border waste dumping: NGT finds gaps in Keralam pollution control board’s report on treatment of biomedical waste",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/cross-border-waste-dumping-ngt-finds-gaps-in-keralam-pollution",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T09:23:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cross-border-waste-dumping-ngt-finds-gaps-in-keralam-pollution-control-boards-report-on-treatment-of-biomedical-waste/article71522862.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) report, which claimed that there are sufficient treatment facilities for processing the biomedical waste generated in Kerala's healthcare facilities. The Southern Bench of the tribunal has demanded an explanation as to why the waste is being dumped in neighboring states if there are no gaps in the treatment capacity. The KSPCB is required to submit a district-wise list of healthcare facilities with inadequate waste management procedures as part of the proceedings in the case involving the illegal dumping of biomedical and solid waste in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu in December 2024. According to KSPCB data, the State generated approximately 73.08 tonnes of biomedical waste per day in 2025. There are two operational Common Biomedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (CBWTFs) - IMAGE in Palakkad and KEIL at Ambalamugal, Ernakulam. These facilities treated about 72.4 tonnes of waste per day in 2025, while the installed capacity of the two combined is approximately 71.8 tonnes per day. The tribunal questioned why biomedical waste is being transported to neighboring states, despite the available treatment facilities. The tribunal cited the board's report, indicating that 642 applications for authorization under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, are still under consideration, and 73 applications require further clarifications. The KSPCB has been asked to wait for an updated report from the Health Department regarding the total number of healthcare facilities in the State to evaluate the treatment capacity and availability of necessary facilities for biomedical waste management.",
  "summary": "Kerala State Pollution Control Board had claimed that there are adequate treatment facilities for processing the biomedical waste generated in healthcare facilities across various districts",
  "key_points": [
    "NGT criticizes KSPCB report on biomedical waste treatment",
    "KSPCB claims sufficient treatment facilities for Kerala's waste",
    "Tribunal demands explanation for waste dumping in Tamil Nadu"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}