Is KMC-RI campus turning into a dumping yard?

Hubballi: KMC-RI Hospital is a lifeline for accident victims and poor and middle class patients of North and Central Karnataka. It has sufficient greenery and open space for visitors and shelter for various birds. However, a broad space at the mortuary and burn hospital is being used to dump solid waste including the building waste.

This has raised questions among patients, activists and public at large. The floor is also dug up for over 10 feet to accommodate the waste. Healthcare experts warn that this dump yard may turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes and dead animals and may spread diseases.

Mahendra Singhi, founder president, Mahaveer Limb Center, located in the KMC-RI premises, observed that the waste is being dumped at open space opposite to Limb Center. "Next to our center, there is a burns and plastic surgery hospital, which is a sensitive place for burn injury patients. People should stop dumping the waste in this area,” he urged.

Many students, who visit KMC-RI ground for morning and evening workout said that the dumping started from about two months ago. “Since it’s raining on and off, dust is controlled. Once the raining is completely stopped, the whole area, will be filled with dust,” they worried.

Renukaprasad, who visited the mortuary last week, said that dumping is rampant behind the mortuary. “Being a healthcare institute, KMC-RI should be model for clean and green ambience. If it is demolishing some old structures, to construct new buildings, it should dispose the waste scientifically,” he demanded.

Social activist Gurunath Ullikashi said that the KMC RI has shut the road which was open earlier behind the mortuary. “As a result, people are forced to visit the mortuary via administration and OPD blocks. Now it can be assumed that the road was shut to make the open space as dump yard,” he opined.

When contacted, Dr Ishwar R Hosamani, director, KMC-RI, said that he is unaware who is dumping waste in the premises. “Mostly our engineering department might have dumped the waste as many construction work is going in the premises. However, we will direct our engineering department to take proper action over the issue,” he added.