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[Cites 2, Cited by 0]

National Green Tribunal

Sushil Raghav vs Secretary on 5 July, 2022

Author: Adarsh Kumar Goel

Bench: Adarsh Kumar Goel

Item No. 03                                                         (Court No. 1)

               BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
                   PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

                            (By Video Conferencing)


                      Original Application No. 334/2021

Sushil Raghav & Ors.                                               Applicant(s)

                                     Versus


Union of India & Ors.                                             Respondent(s)


Date of hearing:    05.07.2022


CORAM:        HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ADARSH KUMAR GOEL, CHAIRPERSON
              HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER
              HON'BLE PROF. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER


Applicant:    Mr. R. Venkataraman, Advocate

Respondent:   Mr. Pradeep Misra & Mr. Daleep Dhyani, Advocates for UPPCB


                                     ORDER

1. Grievance in this application is against non-compliance of statutory norms by private hospitals at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh - Respondents Nos. 8 to 21 - Meenakshi Hospital, Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital, Max Hospital, Le Crest Hospital, Santosh Medical College, Aarogya Hospital, Aditi Hospital, Paras Hospital, Clearmedi Hospital and Cancer Centre, Vasundhara Hospital, Shanti Gopal Hospital, Yashoda Hospital.

2. According to the applicant, the said hospitals are discharging untreated effluents into the drains meeting Hindon River which then meets River Yamuna which finally meets River Ganga. They are not having requisite consent to establish and consent to operate and are also 1 extracting groundwater without requisite permission. They are non- compliant with the Bio-medical Waste Rules, 2016. The statutory authorities - UP State PCB and District Magistrate, Ghaziabad have failed to perform their statutory obligation of taking action against such noncompliance.

3. Vide order dated 16.12.2021, the Tribunal sought a factual report from joint Committee of CPCB, UP State PCB and District Magistrate, Ghaziabad. The joint Committee was to undertake visit to the site, interact with the stakeholders and take remedial action after ascertaining performance of the common bio-medical waste treatment facilities in the area.

4. The report of the joint Committee has been filed on 01.07.2022 giving the compliance status of the 14 bio-medical facilities as follows:-

Sr. Name of No. CTO BMW Status of Sample Analysis Observation No. Hospital of Authorizat ETP/STP during visit Beds ion
1. M/s. 30 31.07.2023 31.07.2023 ETP HCF is complying a. HCF should Meenakshi Installed with general implement bar Hospital, standards code system as .13-12, stipulated in per BMW Anand Schedule II Rules, 2016 Vihar, Of BMWM b. Proper logbook Kaushambi, Rules,2016 with regards to Ghaziabad for discharge operation of into public ETP should be sewers maintained
2. M/s. 300 31.12.2023 31.12.2023 STP/ETP HCF is Overall Yashoda Installed complying compliance with Super with general regards to BMW Speciality standards Rules and other Hospital, stipulated in environmental Kaushambi, Schedule II norms was found Ghaziabad Of BMWM to be satisfactory.

Rules,2016 for discharge into public sewers 2

3. M/s.Max 436 31.12.2023 31.12.2023 STP/ETP HCF is Overall Hospital, W- Installed complying compliance with 3, Near with general regards to BMW Radisson standards Rules and other BluHotel, stipulated in environmental Sector-1, Schedule II norms was found Vaishali, Of BMWM to be satisfactory.

   Ghaziabad                                               Rules,2016
                                                           for discharge
                                                           into        public
                                                           sewers

4. M/s.Flores      100   31.07.2021 25.10.2022 ETP         HCF is             a. HCF      should
   Hospital, G-                                Installed   complying             ensure    timely
   350,                                                    with       general    Disposal      of
   PratapVihar                                             standards             BMW        waste
   Road,      G-                                           stipulated in         through
   Block                                                   Schedule II           CBWTF as per
   Sector-11,                                              Of BMWM               BMW       Rules,
   Pratap                                                  Rules,2016            2016.
   Vihar,                                                  for discharge
   Ghaziabad                                               into        public b. HCF should bar
                                                           sewers                code system as
                                                                                 per BMW
                                                                                 Rules, 2016.

5. M/s. Atlanta    100   No         No                     HCF is               a.     During
   Hospital,                                               complying            inspection,
   Plot                                                    with       general   ETP was
   No-NH-01,                                               standards            Found not
   Sector-14,                                              stipulated in        operational.
   Vasundhara,                                             Schedule II
   Ghaziabad                                               Of BMWM              b.    HCF
                                                           Rules, 2016          should
                                                           for discharge        implement
                                                           into        public   Bar code
                                                           sewers               System as
                                                                                Per BMW Rules,
                                                                                2016.

                                                                                c.     BMW
                                                                                Should be
                                                                                segregated
                                                                                properly and
                                                                                training of staff
                                                                                handling BMW
                                                                                waste is
                                                                                required.

                                                                                d.     HCF have
                                                                                no
                                                                                dedicated
                                                                                common storage
                                                                                room for
                                                                                temporary
                                                                                storage of BMW
                                                                                within premises.

                                                                                e.     Height of
                                                                                stack attached
                                                                                with DG is
                                                                                not as per
                                                                                norms.

                                                                                f.     HCF has
                                                                                no
                                                                                Valid CTO




                                                                                          3
                                                                                  And BMW
                                                                                 Authorization
                                                                                 from UPPCB.

                                                                                 g.      The
                                                                                 hospital not
                                                                                 provided
                                                                                 appropriate
                                                                                 pretreatment
                                                                                 facility for
                                                                                 laboratory
                                                                                 generated liquid
                                                                                 chemical waste.

                                                                                 h. Records
                                                                                 was not
                                                                                 maintained
                                                                                 properly and
                                                                                 training
                                                                                 of     staff
                                                                                 handling BMW
                                                                                 waste is

6. M/s.      Le   100    31.07.2023 31.07.2023 STP/ETP      HCF is               a.      HCF
   Crest                                       Installed    complying              should
   Hospital,                                                with       general     implement     Bar
   Plot                                                     standards              code System as
   No-INS-13,                                               stipulated in          Per BMW Rules,
   Budh                                                     Schedule II            2016
   Chowk,                                                   Of BMWM              b.      During
   Sector-                                                  Rules, 2016            inspection,
   4,Vasundhar                                              for discharge          chemical dosing
   a,Ghaziabad                                              into        public     system in ETP
                                                            sewers                 was           not
                                                                                   operational.
                                                                                 c.      BMW
                                                                                   should         be
                                                                                   segregated
                                                                                   properly      and
                                                                                   training of staff
                                                                                   handling     BMW
                                                                                   waste           is
                                                                                   required.

7. M/s.           150    No         No          ETP         Sample could         a.       Unit has
   Santosh        Dent                          found       not          be        not obtained
   Medical        al                            under       collected    as        Valid CTO/
   College,       Chai                          construct   there    was  no      BMW
   170, Sector-   r                             ion         discharge              authorization
   12,                                                                             from Board
   Block-J,                                                                      b.       Bar Code
   Pratap                                                                          facility not being
   Vihar,                                                                          used.
   Ghaziabad
8. M/s.           100    31.12.2020 31.07.2023 ETP          HCF is                Bar Code facility
   Hospital,                                   installed    complying             not being used.
   NH-01,                                                   with       general
   Sector-6,                                                standards
   Vaishali,                                                stipulated in
   Ghaziabad                                                Schedule II of
                                                            BMWM        Rules,
                                                            2016           for
                                                            discharge
                                                            Into        public
                                                            sewers




                                                                                            4
 9. M/s.             -     -          -                       Closed                -
    Hospital,
    No-117,
    Kaling Marg,
    Sector-4,
    Vaishali,
    Ghaziabad
10. M/s.            50    31.07.2023 31.07.2023 STP/ETP     HCF is                 Bar Code facility
    Hospital,                                   Installed   complying     with     not being used.
    No-130,                                                 general standards
    Kaling Marg,                                            stipulated       in
    Sector-4,                                               Schedule II of
    Vaishali,                                               BMWM        Rules,
    Ghaziabad                                               2016            for
                                                            discharge
                                                            into public sewers
                                                            HCF
11. M/s.            100   31.07.2023 31.07.2023 STP/ETP     HCF              is    Bar Code facility
    Clearmedi                                   Installed   complying     with     not being used.
    Hospital                                                general standards
    Cancer                                                  stipulated       in
    Centre, HC-                                             Schedule II of
    1; Sector-15,                                           BMWM        Rules,
    Vasundhara,                                             2016            for
    Ghaziabad                                               discharge
                                                            Into         public
                                                            sewers

12. M/s.            50    31.07.2023 31.07.2023 ETP          HCF is               a. HCF    should
    Vasundhara                                  installed    complying    with       implement bar
    Hospital, 5,                                             general standards       code   system
    NH-                                                      stipulated      in      for
    1, Dr. Br                                                Schedule 11 of
                                                                                     BMW.
    Ambedkar                                                 BMWM        Rules,
    Road;                                                    2016           for   b. No record is
    Near Ata I                                               discharge               provided        by
    Chowk,                                                   into        public
                                                                                     HCF regarding
    Sector-15,                                               sewers
                                                                                     generation and
    Vasundhara,
                                                                                     disposal        of
    Ghaziabad
                                                                                     BMW.
                                                                                  c. There was-no
                                                                                     provision given
                                                                                     for appropriate
                                                                                     category wise-
                                                                                     storage room.
                                                                                     Small        area
                                                                                     below the floor
                                                                                     is treated as
                                                                                     storage area.
                                                                                  d. The      hospital
                                                                                     not      provided
                                                                                     appropriate
                                                                                     pre-treatment
                                                                                     facility       for
                                                                                     laboratory
                                                                                     generated
                                                                                     liquid chemical
                                                                                     waste.


13. M/s. Shanti     100   31.07.2022 31.10.2022 STP         HCF is                a. HCF    should
    Gopal                                       installed   complying     with       implement bar
    Hospital,                                               general standards        code   system
    Plot NO-NH-                                             stipulated      in       as per BMW
    01,   Ahinsa                                            Schedule   II   of       Rules,
    Jhand-02,                                               BMWM        Rules,




                                                                                             5
    Indirapuram                                          2016 for discharge      2016.
   Ghaziabad                                            into public sewers
                                                                             b. HCF have no
                                                                                dedicated
                                                                                common
                                                                                storage room for
                                                                                temporary
                                                                                storage of BMW
                                                                                Within
                                                                                premises.


14. M/s.         310   31.12.2022 31.12.2022 ETP cum HCF is                  a. HCF      should
    Yashoda.                                 STP       complying      with   ensure bar code
    Hospital,                                Installed general standards     system    as per
    3rd, Nehru                                         stipulated       in   BMW Rules,
    Nagar                                              Schedule .11 of           2016.
    Stadium                                            BMWM         Rules,   b. BMW should
    Nehru                                              2016 for discharge    be      segregated
    Nagar,                                             into public sewers    properly       and
    Ghaziabad                                                                training of staff
                                                                             handling     BMW
                                                                             waste is required.




5. The report further mentions:-

"It has been brought up in the complaint that HCFs are operating without obtaining Environmental Clearance as stipulated under EIA Notification, 2006. It is submitted that besides M/s. Max Hospital none of the HCFs come under the purview of EIA Notification, 2006 and are thus not violating the conditions stipulated under EIA, 2006. AMong above mentioned HCFs, treatment plant was not found operational in 01 HCF (namely M/s. Atlanta Hospital, Plot No-NH-01, Sector-14, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad) and not installed 01 HCF (namely M/s. Santosh Medical College, 170, Sector-12, Block-1, Pratap Vihar, Ghaziabad). However, since all HCFs are in municipal limits and connected to terminal STPs. It has been observed that discharge was found to be complying with general standards stipulated in Schedule 11 of BMWM Rules, 2016 for discharge into public sewers by healthcare facilities. Also, Central Pollution Control Board, vide its letter number F. No. B-31011/BMW (27.10)/2021NVMD-1 dated 12.11.2021 has informed under Right to Information Act, 2005 that 'In case the waste effluent is connected with public sewer which leads to terminal STP, the hoalthcare facility does not require to install separate/individual ETP.' Besides this, 03 healthcare facilities, namely M/s. Atlanta Hospital, Plot No-NH-01, Sector-14, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, M/s. Yashoda Hospital, 3rd, Nehru Nagar Stadium Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, M/s. Le Crest Hospital, Plot No-INS-13, Budh Chowk, Sector-4, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad were found to be non-complying with regards to collection and segregation of blo-medical waste. Further, M/s. Atlanta Hospital, Plot No-NH-01, Sector-14, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad and M/s. Santosh Medical College, 170, Sector-12, Block-1, Pratap Vihar, Ghaziabad are operating without obtaining statutory permission from Board. In view of above non- compliance, environmental compensation of Rs. 63,32,500/- has 6 been recommended against these 04 HCFs, Also, implementation of bar coding in health care facilities and submission of Annual Report as mandated in BMW Rules is still not being complied by most of the HCFs."

6. From the above, it is seen that the four facilities - M/s. Atlanta Hospital, M/s. Yashoda Hospital, M/s. Le Crest Hospital and M/s. Santosh Medical College are non-compliant with regard to collection of waste or with regard to statutory permission. Though it is stated that environmental compensation has been recommended, the compliance of norms needs to be ensured, apart from recovery of compensation for past violations.

7. Let the State PCB take further remedial action and file compliance report. It may also put the said Facilities to notice of these proceedings, to enable them to file compliance affidavits and to show-cause why action be not taken against them for the past violations.

List for further consideration on 06.09.2022. A copy of this order be forwarded to the State PCB by email for compliance.

Adarsh Kumar Goel, CP Sudhir Agarwal, JM Prof. A. Senthil Vel, EM July 05, 2022 Original Application No. 334/2021 AB 7