CAG recommends setting up of ETPs in all hospitals

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 21, 2021

The CAG has recommended the need to construct effluent treatment plants (ETPs) in all the hospitals in the state.

In its report, the CAG also said that the state government needs to effectively pursue the matter of inspection of ETP at Nongpoh civil hospital with Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.

It said audit notice that the DHS (MI) had not established ETPs in any of the test checked hopsitals for pre-treatment of the liquid chemical water, resulting in drainage of the waste directly into the sewerage system.

However, on the directive of National Green Tribunal (NGT), the state government constructed ETPs at Shillong civil hospital and Jowai civil hospital which were made functional on July 15, 2019 and September 23, 2019 respectively.

Meanwhile, ETP constructed at Nongpoh civil hospital, under the directive of the NGT, at a cost of Rs 45.35 lakh could not be made functional for want of final inspection from the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board.

Moreover, Tura maternal and child hospital did not have an ETP nor did the DHS (MI) plan any ETP at Tura MCH.

In the absence of a functional ETP at Nongpoh civil hospital and Tura MCH, proper treatment of effluents from these hospitals would not be ensured, which has seirous implications of environment and human health, it said.