Pune, 19th June 2026: Complaints about biomedical waste being dumped in the Katraj Ghat have once again highlighted concerns over medical waste management system. Doctors and private hospital operators have alleged serious gaps in the collection and disposal process of biomedical waste generated by healthcare facilities across the city.
City has around 700 to 800 private hospitals, clinics and pathology laboratories, along with nearly 70 municipal healthcare facilities. Together, they generate an estimated five to six tonnes of biomedical waste every day.
Under existing regulations, this waste must be collected and scientifically disposed of through an authorised treatment facility. However, healthcare professionals claim that the system is not functioning effectively in several parts of the city.
The issue is particularly concerning in newly merged villages and suburban areas, where several small clinics and healthcare centers are operating. According to medical practitioners, some establishments may not be properly registered under biomedical waste management rules, increasing the possibility of medical waste being dumped at unauthorised locations.
Apart from hospitals and clinics, household medical waste is also emerging as a challenge. Used syringes, saline bottles, diapers and other healthcare-related materials are often discarded along with domestic garbage, creating environmental and public health concerns.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has assigned biomedical waste collection to a private agency responsible for collecting waste from healthcare facilities.
However, doctors claim that despite paying regular collection charges, many hospitals and clinics continue to face difficulties due to inadequate collection points and irregular pickup services.
They say collection vehicles often remain at designated points for only a few minutes, making timely disposal difficult for many healthcare providers.
“While the collection agency charges clinics and hospitals for its services, it must also ensure that all biomedical waste is collected efficiently. Despite repeated follow-ups, there are shortcomings in the collection process. If waste is not picked up on time, the risk of it being dumped in open areas or unauthorised locations increases significantly,” said Manohar Jadhav of the Pune Doctors Association.
Responding to the concerns, PMC Assistant Health Officer Suryakant Devkar said the civic body has been taking action against improper disposal of medical waste and expired medicines found in public places.
“In many cases, medicines and other medical waste discarded by households are found dumped on roadsides. We are taking action whenever such incidents come to light and will continue strengthening the collection system. A special drive will also be undertaken to identify and act against those responsible for illegal dumping. If healthcare facilities face any issues regarding biomedical waste collection, they should immediately report them to the municipal administration,” Devkar said.