33 Punjab hospitals in trouble for violating pollution control norms

Pannu appealed to medical professionals to follow the procedure laid down for disposal of bio-medical waste as it was a major environmental irritant that required special handling and management.

"PPCB officials have been directed to keep a constant watch on the hospitals for ensuring proper disposal of bio- medical waste," he said.

Pannu said the state pollution control board has constituted a number of teams headed by its environment engineers to inspect the hospitals.

"The PPCB has already provided detailed guidelines to the hospitals for handling and management of bio-medical waste which is collected by specialised agencies authorised by the board," he said.

"Around 14 tonnes of bio-medical waste is being collected daily by specialised agencies whose vehicles have been fitted with centrally-controlled GPS system," Pannu said.

There are around 10,000 hospitals in the state including the those run by the government.