THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite several efforts, the medical college authorities are still grappling in the dark to manage tonnes of waste generated daily in the campus sprawling around 139 acres. Bringing regulation on the food packets being distributed by Voluntary organisations, NGOs and individuals inside the campus still remains a far cry. Though there are six biogas plants inside the campus, the mechanism can dispose of off only 2600 kg.
According to the authorities the floating population alone at Medical College Hospital campus – which houses three premiere medical institutions including Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Sri Avittom Thirunal (SAT) – comes to around 50,000. Each person generates an average of 200-gram waste generally. An average of 4 to 5-tonne waste is generated daily at the canteens and hospital wards.
“Segregation of waste is not happening. Rando-mly, we collect around 2 to 4 tonne plastic waste inside the campus daily. We have only one incinerator which is not enough. We are able to incinerate only 750 kg of plastic waste. One more will be installed,” said the official.
The online food deliveries are adding on to the woes of the authorities. “People order food and they just throw the waste around,” said the official. In the wake of this, the Medical College authorities have launched a clean campus campaign. “We launch the campaign every six months and the drive will continue for 3-4 months. We hire tipper Lorries and JCB to remove accumulated waste which is buried in the premises,” the official added. Vacant plots are fast depleting owing to expansion.
