Heaps of biomedical waste dumped along Adyar river in Gerugambakkam

Expired medicines, scores of syrup bottles and other medical waste dumped on the riverbank. | Photo Credit: V. Pugalventhan Heaps of biomedical waste and expired medicines have been dumped along the Adyar riverbank near Gerugambakkam.According to sources, several kilos of waste, including expired medicines, scores of syrup bottles and other medical waste, have accumulated along the riverbank over the past few days. Activists have raised concerns over the potential contamination of the surrounding environment and the risks posed to people and animals in the vicinity.Pugalventhan V., environmental activist, said the stretch was also used for cattle grazing and that no action had been taken to stop the dumping or remove the waste. “This is a repeat occurrence. Adyar is one of the riverbanks where biomedical waste is continuously dumped. There is no awareness among local bodies on the removal of this waste. This dumping had stopped for a while but appears to have resumed,” he said.In May 2025, biomedical waste and other garbage continued to be dumped and burnt along the Adyar riverbed near Gerugambakkam, Cowl Bazaar, and Kolapakkam. Residents had alleged that neighbouring panchayats were dumping two tonnes of waste daily along the riverbed.Under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, biomedical waste must be segregated, collected, and disposed of through authorised treatment facilities as its indiscriminate disposal can pose risks to public health and the environment.Environmental organisation Poovulagin Nanbargal called for a thorough investigation by the State government into this incident and action against those responsible. Given that this is the rainy season, we demand that the dumped waste be removed immediately, it said.A senior official from TNPCB said the Board would investigate the issue. Published - November 10, 2026 11:24 pm IST