The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) will close down a private diagnostic centre for alleged breach of bio-medical waste regulations.
The comes after an inspection was carried out today by the officials of the board following complaints that the Passah Diagnostic Centre did not comply with the Biomedical Rules of 2016 by indiscriminately dumping syringes and blood sample collection tubes along a stretch of the National Highway 40 E near the Myntdu River.
The centre will also face environmental compensation and potential legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.
A team from the MSPCB and the Jowai Municipal Board (JMB) visited the site along the Jowai-Dawki highway and discovered biomedical waste haphazardly disposed of in the area.
Member Secretary of the board, Dr G.H. Chyrmang told reporters that instructions will be issued to the centre to lift and dispose of the waste in an environmentally responsible manner, with strict segregation. He said the centre will be shut down and penalised under the bio-medical waste rules and environment act.
Expressing concern on how the centre could procure the medical items without valid documents, he said investigation will be carried out and action will be taken as per law.
JMB Chief Executive Officer, R.V. Lyngdoh, Waheh Shnong of the Mynthong dorbar, Lamphrang Pohktai and officials from the health department were also part of the inspection.
Meanwhile, Pohktai has warned against any indiscriminate dumping of waste along the road.