NEW DELHI: Delhi generated 18.8 tonnes of Covid-19 biomedical waste per day in May (till May 10) — the fourth highest in the country — according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). With 23.7 tonnes per day (TPD), Kerala generated the maximum.
A recent CPCB report stated that the average Covid-related biomedical waste generation during May was about 203TPD in the country. The pollution board compiled the data after considering information received from the state pollution control boards, pollution control committees and daily data received from ‘COVID19BWM’ waste tracking app.
According to CPCB, the peak generation of 250TPD was reported on May 10. However, the peak in 2020 across the country was in the range of 180-220TPD. “Despite a greater number of patients, there is no proportional growth in the quantity of Covid biomedical waste being generated. This is mainly due to proper segregation of waste. Common facilities have reported that, unlike last year, hospitals and isolation wards are not mixing food with Covid waste,” said CPCB.
However, there has been a gradual increase in quantity of Covid biomedical waste generation since February 2021. The waste generation was 53TPD in February in the country, which rose to 75TPD in March, 139TPD in April and 203TPD in May (till May 10).
“Chairman of CPCB conducted a virtual meeting with chairmen and member secretaries of SPCBs and PCCs on May 3 to review the status of Covid waste management. At the meeting, SPCBs/PCCs reported that the existing arrangement in states is adequate to dispose of Covid waste safely. About 198 common biomedical waste treatment plant facilities (CBWTFs) are involved in the treatment and disposal of such waste,” said the report.
The CPCB data showed the second highest Covid waste was generated in Gujarat at 21.98TPD followed by Maharashtra at 19.02 TPD in May. The 18.8TPD waste generated in Delhi was disposed of at two CBWTFs. DPCC has invited expression of interest for setting additional two CBWTFs in the city.
