Expired medicines, biowaste in water body endanger lives

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, January 17

The dumping of expired medicines and biomedical waste in Mol Khud, a local stream, has lead to water contamination in the lower areas of Palampur. Residents said huge quantity of drugs had been dumped in the water channel in the last four-five days.

The Irrigation and Public Health Department has identified this water channel for lift drinking water supply schemes, which would cover more than 10 villages in the lower areas of Palampur.Residents rued that the department concerned had failed to take any action in this regard, putting their lives at risk.

Palampur lacks proper mechanism to dispose of biomedical waste. The Pollution Control Board has also turned into a mute spectator. In the absence of any waste treatment plant, biomedical waste from hospitals and chemist shops is being dumped in water channels. It has become a major health hazard.

Streams are the main source of drinking water for people living in the lower areas. The Irrigation and Public Health Department is planning to supply water to over 100 villages through these channels.