KOCHI: To tackle the mounting biomedical waste crisis in Southern Kerala , especially in Kochi , the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd (KEIL) has proposed a treatment plant at Puthencruz in Ernakulam.The project, estimated to cost Rs 4.9 crore, has received the government nod and is waiting for environmental clearance. The plant will have the capacity to treat 10 tonnes of biowastes per day.Currently, around 10 tonnes of biomedical waste is being generated in Kochi alone every day and majority of the waste is not getting properly processed and disposed off raising health and environment issues.There is only one biomedical waste treatment plant - IMAGE (IMA Goes Eco-friendly) - in Kerala, situated at Palakkad that caters to around 6,000 hospitals in Kerala. Officials say that since the FACT campus had been classified as 'notified industrial area', KEIL might get the mandatory environment clearances. At present, we run a common treatment, storage and disposal facility (CTSDF) for solid hazardous industrial waste in the area keeping with all safety precautions. District collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla will chair the hearing to be held at Kakkanad collectorate conference hall.

Source: Times of India October 24, 2016 04:05 UTC