‘Solution for biomedical waste soon’

PORVORIM: Environment minister Alina Saldanha has said that the department of science and technology and Goa state pollution control board have expedited the process of identifying land to set up a common biomedical waste treatment facility for the state.
The issue of the state grappling with biomedical waste was discussed during the ‘Calling Attention’ motion moved by Sakhali MLA Pramod Sawant during the budged session of the legislative assembly.
“All states in the country have set up facilities to take care of their bio-medical waste, but, Goa does not have one. Biomedical waste is being unscientifically disposed off. Solid waste management rules, especially regarding biomedical waste, are not being implemented in the state,” he said.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and former chief minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat demanded that the government should have a biomedical waste facility built at the earliest.
“Though the government collects green cess on products which cause pollution, it does not provide a biomedical waste facility for such units,” said Sardesai. Goa medical college and hospital, Bambolim, has an incinerator and hydroclave, but, private hospitals do not have machinery required for treating biomedical waste. The MLAs said for want of facility, private hospitals are compelled to dispose off their biomedical waste as they think fit.
Saldanha said that 10% of the work on the Calangute-Saligao plant has been completed. “In the case of the proposed Cacora plant, all formalities have been completed and work is expected to start soon,” she added.