Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Feb 10: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched India’s first indigenous Automated Bio Medical Waste Treatment Plant at AIIMS New Delhi.
The Automated Biomedical Waste Treatment Rig, named “Srjanam,” was officially dedicated to the nation by the Minister at a ceremony held in the AIIMS auditorium after which , he, accompanied by Director General CSIR Dr N. Kalaisevi and Director AIIMS Dr M. Srinivas walked up to the site within the AIIMS premises where the machinery has been placed and formally switched on the button.
This innovative, environment friendly technology, developed by CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology), offers a significant advancement in the sustainable management of biomedical waste.
Speaking on the commissioning, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh called for a paradigm shift from ‘Waste to Wealth’ and emphasized the importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. He noted that India’s economy has transitioned from being part of the fragile five to a member of the First Five and is poised for continued growth. He highlighted the significance of the new biomedical waste treatment rig, which is set to revolutionize waste management in healthcare facilities.
The “Srjanam” rig can disinfect pathogenic biomedical waste such as blood, urine, sputum, and laboratory disposables, without the use of costly and energy-intensive incinerators. Additionally, the rig imparts a pleasant fragrance to the otherwise foul-smelling toxic waste. With a daily capacity of 400 kg, the equipment is capable of handling 10 kg of degradable medical waste per day in the initial phase. Once validated, this technology will be ready for full-scale implementation after receiving approval from relevant authorities.
With the growing demand for better waste disposal solutions, the “Srjanam” rig offers a safer and more efficient approach, eliminating the risks associated with human exposure to harmful waste and minimizing the chances of spills and accidents. The technology has been third-party validated for its antimicrobial action, and studies have shown that the treated material is safer than organic fertilizers like vermicompost.
Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded CSIR-NIIST for its innovative and cost-effective solution to dispose off pathogenic biomedical waste in an eco-friendly manner. He referenced the 2023 annual report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which indicated that India generates 743 tonnes of biomedical waste daily, presenting a significant challenge in its safe and proper disposal. The new technology addresses this issue and presents an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional incineration methods.
The Science and Technology Minister also emphasized the priorities of the Government during its first 100 days, which include the approval of India’s first Bio E3 policy, the sanctioning of 1000 crores for Viability Gap funding for space startups, 2000 crores for Mission Mausam, and 50,000 crores for the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF). Furthermore, he highlighted the recent Union Budget, which proposes 20,000 crores for Bharat Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
The ceremony was attended by distinguished dignitaries including Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR, Tanmay Kumar IAS, Secretary MoEFCC, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary DSIR and DG, CSIR, and Dr. M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS.
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