Biomedical waste violations: CPCB warns states, UTs of action over deep burial

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that action will be taken against states and Union territories (UT) failing to comply with rules governing the disposal of biomedical waste.

The green body is hearing a matter concerning violations in the handling, treatment and disposal of biomedical waste by treatment facilities.

9,178 healthcare facilities using deep burial

In an order dated August 5, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad took note of a CPCB report on the practice of "deep burial" of biomedical waste across 17 states and Union territories.

Deep burial is permitted under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules only in rural or remote areas where a Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility is not available. It also requires prior approval from the prescribed state authority.

The tribunal noted that 9,178 Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) were using deep burial. Of these, only 5,715 were found to be compliant with the prescribed standards.

Groundwater, authorisation among key violations

One of the major compliance gaps involved the required groundwater level. A total of 477 HCFs were found to be violating the requirement that the groundwater table should be at least six metre below the burial pit.

Another 341 facilities were operating without proper authorisation from the prescribed authorities.

The NGT noted that the CPCB report showed significant compliance gaps across several parameters in different states and Union territories. In Uttar Pradesh, all 111 HCFs examined were found non-compliant, while all 33 HCFs in Rajasthan were also found to be in violation.

States given eight weeks to comply

The CPCB told the tribunal that communications had already been sent to the concerned State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees.

"Counsel appearing for the CPCB has informed that presently the communications have been sent to the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) of the violating states and UTs and, if the compliance is not done within eight weeks, then the directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 will be issued."

Section 5 gives the Centre powers to issue binding directions, including regulating or shutting down industrial operations and stopping utility services.

The NGT directed the CPCB to submit a further progress report at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for October 28, 2026.