India biomedical waste deep burial violations

The India — Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported to the India — National Green Tribunal (NGT) that 17 Indian states and Union territories violated biomedical waste disposal rules, specifically regarding 'deep burial' practices. Out of 9,178 healthcare facilities using deep burial, only 5,715 were compliant. Common violations included failure to maintain a minimum groundwater table level of six metres below burial pits (477 facilities) and operating without proper authorisation (341 facilities). India — Uttar Pradesh and India — Rajasthan had all their facilities non-compliant (111 and 33 respectively). The NGT, chaired by Justice Ashutosh Shrivastava with expert member Afroz Ahmad, noted the report and was informed that CPCB has sent communications to state pollution control boards, warning that if compliance is not achieved within eight weeks, directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 will be issued. The tribunal directed CPCB to file a further progress report before the next hearing on October 28, 2026.