Biomedical waste worry for Nandini

NASHIK: As a part of the initiative taken by Maharashtra Times and The Times of India to clean up the Nandini River, Nashik Municipal Commissioner Abhishek Krishna visited the river on Friday.
Social activists, actors involved in the project, representatives of Times Group and civic officials were part of the visit and a meeting held later at the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC).
At the Mumbai Naka area, visitors witnessed hospital linen and clothes of patients being washed in the river, while near Bhabhanagar mining activity was being done.
“About the mining activity, I will have to talk to the district collector,” Krishna said.
A social activist said biomedical waste was harmful and the issue should be addressed on priority basis.
During the meeting with additional municipal commissioner Anil Chavan, activist Mugdha Sapatnekar said drainage pipe broken in the August floods was yet to be repaired.
The project’s brand ambassador, actor Chinmay Udgirkar, said, “Awareness programmes are a must. People should feel the urge to do something for the river. If we want to keep the Godavari flowing throughout the year then its tributaries should also be kept flowing. Nandini flows through the heart of the city. Youngsters should be roped in for the initiative.”
As a solution to waste burning on the river banks, it was decided that the sanitary employees would be given responsibility to impose fines on offenders to curb the activity.
Health officer Vijay Dekate said that from December 20, garbage vans with GPS will help resolve garbage issues.