Pune Medical Bio-Waste Scam: Over 9 Tons of Waste Dumped Daily; Several Clinics Not Registered With PMC

Pune Medical Bio-Waste Scam:
A major biomedical waste scandal has come to light in Pune, revealing severe irregularities in the disposal of hazardous medical waste by private hospitals, pathology labs, and clinics. Several small and mid-sized medical establishments across Pune city and suburbs have not registered with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for biomedical waste collection — resulting in large quantities of waste being dumped illegally outside the city.

Reports published by the daily Pudhari exposed the dumping of medical waste in the old and new Katraj Ghat areas. A follow-up investigation confirmed that many clinics, labs, and healthcare facilities in the 23 newly merged villages are operating without mandatory registration for biomedical waste disposal.

Thousands of Clinics Missing From PMC Records

Pune has 850 private hospitals and clinics, along with 70 municipal hospitals. As per PMC rules, all healthcare facilities must hand over medical waste to POSCO, the private contractor appointed for waste collection.
The city generates 8–9 tons of biomedical waste every single day, which is transported to the PMC incinerator at Kailas Crematorium for scientific disposal.

However, PMC’s internal data shows that thousands of small clinics and newly added establishments do not appear in the official records. Many have avoided registration and continue to dump hazardous waste openly, with no significant action taken so far.

Biomedical Waste From Homes Mixed With Regular Garbage

Many households treat patients at home. Items like used syringes, saline bottles, infected diapers, and medical disposables are handed directly to routine garbage collectors. Because there is no segregation, waste collectors are at high risk of infections and health hazards.

POSCO Handles Collection for the Entire City

PMC has awarded a 30-year contract to POSCO for biomedical waste collection. The company’s vehicles collect waste from registered clinics and transport it to the incinerator for disposal. Hospitals and labs pay PMC a fixed fee for this service.

Clinics registered with the Health Department must pay ₹3,500 annually for biomedical waste collection. Only registered facilities receive official waste-collection services.

PMC Issues Warning to Unregistered Clinics

The civic body has now directed all unregistered clinics to immediately complete their registration, warning that dumping biomedical waste in the open will lead to strict legal action.

Officials emphasise that Pune generates a large volume of biomedical waste, and proper disposal is essential to protect public health, sanitation workers, and the environment.