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Time of India
31-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hospital put on 30-day notice over biomedical waste lapse
Vadodara: The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has directed a city hospital to improve its healthcare waste management within 30 days, after an incident in which biomedical waste from the hospital was found in the Gotri municipal garden. The hospital has been warned that it will face closure and power disconnection if it does not comply. The hospital waste was first spotted on July 21 by visitors to the garden. When the garden department officials found the waste, they informed the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) solid waste department, according to a VMC release. Solid waste officials rushed to the site, confirming the waste originated from Sterling Hospital at Racecourse and included biomedical waste. Hospital representatives also arrived at the garden after the discovery. The waste was placed in a VMC tractor used for garden waste collection. When the tractor entered the garden, it left behind the medical waste bags. Papers bearing the hospital's name were also found with the waste. BJP and Congress leaders visited the site as the matter drew public attention. The medical waste was later handed over to a certified biomedical waste disposal agency, VMC said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon | Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret Paras The Florett Book Now Undo According to the release, the improper disposal violated the Biomedical Waste Rules, 2016, which is also an offence under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. GPCB has ordered the hospital to improve its healthcare waste systems within 30 days or face strict action, including power disconnection. It has also instructed that no new patients be admitted, and existing patients must be shifted if no improvement is made. Attempts to get the hospital's comment were unsuccessful.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
GPCB engineer caught taking Rs 1.25 lakh bribe in Porbandar
Rajkot: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a deputy environmental engineer of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1.25 lakh in the pollution watchdog's regional office in Porbandar on Wednesday. Rajesh Chauhan (55), a class-3 officer had allegedly Rs 25,000 per month from the complainant to avoid citing any deficiencies at the Sudama Dairy plant. He threatened that if the payments were not made, he would report irregularities and have the plant shut down. Over five months, this demand amounted to a total of Rs 1.25 lakh. The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB, which laid a trap at the GPCB office opposite Madhvani College in Porbandar city. During the operation, Chauhan was caught red-handed while negotiating with the complainant and accepting the bribe money. Chauhan was taken into custody
Time of India
25-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Study finds 51 outlets releasing sewage into Vishwamitri
Vadodara: With flood mitigation becoming a priority of the Vishwamitri project due to the unprecedented inundation caused by the city last year, the issue of pollution in the river seems to have taken a backseat. A study after the floods last year reveals that not only are there a large number of outlets releasing sewage water into the river, but the water from the river is also being drawn for irrigation purposes. The survey was done using a UAV (drone) and was the first of its kind conducted for the identification of outfall and lifting points in the river. The survey was conducted by a faculty member of the Pandit Deendayal Energy University for the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). The report lists 64 locations where either sewage water is being released into the Vishwamitri or is being lifted from it. At 51 locations, the survey recorded inlets into the river while water was being drawn at 13 places. The report observes that the inlets were of various types like circular pipes, rectangular or trapezoid outlets, and irregular ones. The report observed that the highest number of outfalls into the river were situated at locations that could be potentially linked to the larger presence of municipal areas resulting in a higher production of sewer waste. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Significant differences were also observed in the flow from the outlets during the day. This is believed to be a sign of time-dependent sewage disposal connected to municipal areas. The report also lists around 50 outfalls in the river by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). The civic body did extensive drone surveys of the river for flood mitigation purposes when these outfalls were also identified. The findings in the report were recently included in the supplementary report of the committee appointed by the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) that includes activists, experts, and officials. Environmentalist and a member of the GSHRC-appointed committee, Rohit Prajapati, said that the discharge of sewage water was a violation of orders by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal. "This issue is not limited to Vadodara. It is an issue elsewhere in the state and the country too," he said. Prajapati added that a major reason was that sewage was not being treated properly. GPCB has also given notices to VMC over its sewage treatment plants.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Gujarat HC asks 8 municipal corps to install cloth bag vending machines, plastic bottle collecting machines
To ensure that 'effective steps' are taken to implement the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Gujarat High Court has recommended that eight Municipal Corporations in the state take 'proactive measures' by emulating the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB)'s initiative of installing cloth bag vending machines and reverse vending machines for collecting plastic bottles. The HC has also directed the State Monitoring Committee of GPCB and the Commissioner of Municipalities to file a joint response regarding the installation of Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) and the engagement of plastic waste processing units in municipalities across the state. On July 18, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D N Ray was hearing a PIL filed by Advocate Amit Panchal in February 2023, seeking directions to ensure 'proper sanitation and disposal of waste on Girnar hilltop.' The PIL had contended that the area had become a 'dumping ground' with trash scattered all over. The court recommended that Municipal Corporations conduct workshops in schools run by civic bodies to create awareness and ensure effective implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission. In its oral order, uploaded on Monday, the Gujarat High Court said, 'Eight Municipal Corporations in the State shall make an endeavour to emulate the initiative taken by the GPCB in installation of cloth bag vending machines and reverse vending machines (for collecting plastic bottles) in all key areas to be identified by them, specifically where there is a large footfall of the general public. The Municipalities which are managing tourist places like Dwarka and Somnath in the State shall also draw an example to set up such machines in the areas of major tourist footfall.' The Unit Head of the Plastic Waste Cell of the GPCB, in an affidavit before the HC, stated that as part of the 'strict implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, to promote eco-friendly practices,' the GPCB had installed Cloth Bag Vending Machines in key areas of Ahmedabad and Surat, and 24 Reverse Vending Machines for collecting plastic bottles across the state to encourage proper disposal and recycling. The affidavit further stated that, in compliance with the HC's April 25 order, the GPCB had inspected 91 municipalities, out of which 65 have installed MRFs and 32 have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with registered plastic waste processors. The GPCB informed the court that of the 65 MRFs, three are still non-operational, 39 are manually operated, 21 are mechanized, and five operate through both manual and mechanical means. It also informed the court that 88 show-cause notices have been issued to municipalities 'either for non-installation of MRF Facility and/or non-signing of MoU with a registered Plastic Waste Processor.' In its oral order, the court directed the State Monitoring Committee and the Commissioner of Municipalities to hold meetings with Chief Officers of the municipalities for further implementation. The order stated: '…hold a meeting with the Chief Officers, Nagarpalika (Municipality) giving them a timeline to ensure installation of MRF facility and engage plastic waste processing units registered with the GPCB. The Chief Officer of Nagarpalika shall be personally made liable with penal consequences, in case of defiance of the timeline, which shall be duly worked out by the State Monitoring Committee. The joint response of the State Monitoring Committee and the Commissioner of Municipality shall be brought before this Court in a personal affidavit of the Commissioner of Municipalities (Administration) to be filed on the next date fixed.' The matter will be next heard on September 12.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
NGT summons Guj officials over Kharai camel issue
Ahmedabad: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently issued fresh notices to Gujarat authorities in response to a non-compliance petition filed by the Kutch Camel Breeders Association (KCBA). The NGT case centres on the protection of the endangered Kharai camels, known for their unique ability to swim and graze in coastal mangroves, and the preservation of their traditional breeding practices. The KCBA has filed an execution application seeking enforcement of earlier NGT orders dated Sep 11, 2019, and Sep 16, 2021. These directives had called for measures to safeguard the camels' fragile habitat in Kutch and support the livelihoods of their breeders, who have faced increasing threats due to environmental degradation and lack of official support. During the recent hearing, the NGT bench led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the absence of key respondents, including the officials of the forest and environment department, the district collector of Kutch, despite being served notices. In its latest order of July 9 the NGT states, "Let fresh notices be issued to all respondents. The additional chief secretary, forest and environment department, will either appear virtually or through an advocate on the next date of hearing to assist the tribunal. The GPCB has filed a short reply affidavit. Learned counsel appearing for the GPCB submits that he will examine the issue again and ensure filing of fresh detailed affidavit before the next date of hearing." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), which was present, has been directed to re-examine the environmental concerns and submit a detailed affidavit. The next hearing is scheduled for Sep 19.
