Patiala, May 18
An illegal biomedical waste recycling racket was exposed in Patiala after the Punjab Pollution Control Board conducted raids at two locations with assistance from the police. Officials said biomedical waste collected illegally from hospitals was being brought to warehouses, where it was allegedly recycled and reused in low-cost products, posing a serious environmental and public health risk.
According to officials, the action was initiated after the Pollution Control Board received a complaint regarding illegal handling of biomedical waste. During the raid, one warehouse was sealed, and information gathered at the site led authorities to another warehouse, where further search operations were underway.
Punjab Pollution Control Board, Patiala Range, Junior Engineer Davinder Singh said that nearly 15 to 20 tonnes of biomedical waste had been seized so far. He said the waste would be sent to a laboratory in Ludhiana for safe disposal and further examination.
Officials said they had shared information with the police to register an FIR against the warehouse owners. Police are also investigating the ownership of the seized material and identifying those involved in operating the illegal recycling network.
